S B 



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 

DIVISION oIf POMOLOaY. 
Bulletin ]¥o. *2, 



BEPOE^T 



thh: ^t:>a_t^ta.tio]S" 



RUSSIAN AND OTHER FRUITS 



EXTREME NORTHERN PORTIONS OF THE UNITEI) STATES. 



PREPARED UXDKIl TflE DrRECTION^ OB' THE COMMISSIONER 
UK AOKICULTITRE. 



WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT PEINTINli OFFICE. 

18 8 8. 



■sah 




Rnnk ■ (4.rH 



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
divisioint of pomology. 

Biilletiii ]\o. S. 



6^^ ^ 

REPORT yr 



THE a.d^i>ta.tio:n" 



RUSSIAN AND OTHER FRUITS 



EXTREME NORTHERN PORTIONS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



PEEPAKED UXDEK TUE DIRECTrO:N' OF THE COMMISSIONER 
OF AGRICULTUEE. 



WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, 

18 8S. 
15349-BU112 rc^i^ 

^ ^1 



^^"^ 



MAR 31 19:3 
D. ot 0. 



o 

- ^ 

^ LETTER OF SUBMITTAL. 



Sir : The report which I herewith send you has been made with the 
utmost caution after having personally inspected many of the orchards 
in Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and more eastern States, where Kussian 
fruits have been growing for many years. I trust that it may serve the 
purpose which you had in mind when you delegated me to undertake 
the work. 

Very truly, yours, 

T. T. Lyon, 
South Haven, Mich. 
Prof. n. E. Van Deman, 

Pomologist U. S. Department of AijHcnlturc. 



LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. 



Sir : In obedience to your orders, the following report upon the sub- 
ject of Russian and other fruits in the Northern States, has been pre- 
pared, and is herewith respectfully submittetl for the information of 
those who are especially interested in the cultivation of fruits in the 
extreme northern i)ortion of the United States. 

Horticulturists in those sections have long sought after varieties of 
fruits which can be grown there successfully, and it is hoped that this 
report, i^repared by one of the oldest and most expert i:»omologists in 
the country, will be found of interest and value, and that it may be of 
benefit to the cause of practical pomology. 
Very respectfully, 

H. E. Van Deman, 
Chief of Division of Pomology. 
Hon. Norman J. Colman, 

Commissioner of Agriculture. 

8 



THE ADAPTATION OF RUSSIAN AND OTHER FRUITS TO THE 
EXTREME NORTHERN PORTIONS OF THE UNITED STATES, 



CLIMATIC INFLUENCES. 

At the extreme east, Maine stretches northward as far as latitude 47° 
32', while adjacent, at the west, New Hampshire reaches 45° 11', and 
Vermont and New York extend only to 45°. Still, as the distance from 
the ocean increases, and the elevation is also necessarily increased, the 
extremes of both summer and winter temperature become greater, 
while the rain-fall is preceptibly diminished. 

From eastern New York westward, the north line of the United 
States drops rapidly down to the region of known and successful fruit 
culture, and seems not to require discussion for the present purpose 
till we reach Michigan ; along the easterly shore of which State the 
national boundary trends almost directly northward. Still the climatic 
influences are so far modified by the adjacent waters that, throughout 
what is known as the lower peninsula of Michigan, almost without ex- 
ception, the climatic peculiarities likely to affect the culture of at least 
the hardier fruits compare favorably with those of central New York 
and southern New England. Such climatic conditions do not undergo 
essential change till after passing to the upper peninsula, about lati- 
tude 46°; and not fully, even then, till after passing westward of the 
more direct influence of winds from oft" the waters of lakes Michigan 
and Superior. 

Throughout the Michigan portion of the northern peninsula the in- 
fluence of the waters of Lake Superior is unmistakably felt in the tem- 
perature of the winds coming across them ; while they may doubtless 
be assumed to exert a very considerable influence upon the climate of 
northern Wisconsin, so far especially as northerly and northeasterly 
winds are concerned. 

Passing westward from Lake Superior, Minnesota extends north to 
the national boundry in latitude 49 degrees, as do also the Territories of 
Dakota and Montana, east of the Eocky Mountains, as well as Idaho and 
Washington Territory upon the Pacific slope. 

As we pass westward, beyond the influence of Lake Superior, the cli- 
mate undergoes a gradual modification beyond that chargeable to mere 
increase of latitude, becoming subject to the unmitigated influence of 
polar storms in winter, with their extremes of coldj and, in turn, in 

5 



summer, to the dry atmosphere of the Plains, with increased liability to 
droughts, which not infrequently are of extreme severity. 

The diminished percentage of atmospheric moisture westward of the 
Lakes is also very noticeable, becoming less as we pass westward till 
we approach the crests of the Rocky Mountains, beyoud which, in 
Idaho and eastern Washington, similar conditions of dryness exi^t, till 
we reach the Cascade Mountains — a continuation of the Sierra Nevada 
range — west of which a mild climate occurs, with a copious rain-fall. 

In Idaho, irrigation is believed to be more or less important to suc- 
cessful fruit culture, since by means of this the business becomes, to 
some extent at least, independent of climate. In eastern Washington 
the general conditions are understood to be similar to those of Idaho, 
although in both the general temperature is milder than in the same 
latitude east of the Rocky jMountaius, while as we approach the Pacific 
extreme cold rarely if ever occurs. 

Fruit culture west of the continental divide, in the latitude of Idaho 
and Washington Territories, is yet in an undeveloped state, and the 
capacities ot these regions in this respectare but imperfectly understood. 
The discussion of the subject will therefore be mainly confined to the 
regions eastward of the Rocky Mountains. Westward of Iowa and Min- 
nesota very little is yet certainly known respecting the adaptation of the 
country to the cultivation of fruits, except perhaps in eastern Nebraska, 
where the pomology assimilates closely with that of northern Missouri 
and Iowa. The probabilities, therefore, so far as the regions farther 
west are concerned, will be mainly expressed by results in the States of 
Iowa and Minnesota. 

FRUITS ADAPTED OR ADAPTABLE TO A l^ORTIIERN CLIMATE. 

Of the fruits more or less perfectly adapted to successful cultivation in 
the region under consideration it will only be necessary to consider those 
which are, or promise to be, of value either commercially or for domes- 
tic or culinary purposes. Among these, named as nearly as practica- 
ble in the order of their maturity, Avill be found the Straw^berry, Rasp- 
berry, Dwarf Juneberry (Serviceberry), Cherry, (Uirrant, Gooseberry, 
Blueberry (including the Huckleberry), Blackberry (including the Dew- 
berry), Mulberry, Cranberry, Apricot, Plum, Peach, Apple, Quince, and 
several nuts. 

THE STRAWBKIiRY. 

This fruit is said to be indigenous as far north as Behring's Straits, 
and is successfully grown in all the settled parts of the region under 
consideration. Few" other fruits, however, vary so greatly under changes 
of soil and climate, so that the success of a variety in a given locality 
can only be certainly ascertained through actual trial. Experience, 
therefore, must necessarily be the surest guide to the choice of vari- 
eties for a given locality. No better rule can probably be devised for 
the selection of varieties for an untried locality than to select those 



that most nearly approach the native tyi)c iu character, and especially 
in hardiness of their foliage, since such may be expected to better with- 
stand the hardships of this northern climate ; although even these will 
doubtless require the shelter of mnlch during winter, unless the snow 
shall sufitice for the pur^iose. 

Probably in no other class of fruits has there been a more utter 
blending or mixing up of original classes or families by continued cross- 
fertilization. Hence there must necessarily be much difficulty in the 
selection of pure varieties for additional crossing, as well as uncertainty 
in the selection of desirable varieties for planting from the indications 
of their foliage. Still, a thick, coriaceous foliage may in this, as in the 
larger fruits, be fairly assumed to indicate ability to withstand extremes 
of temperature, as well as of aridity. 

It is also highly probable that the necessity which, iu case of the 
tree fruits, has compelled a resort to reproduction for the origination 
of varieties capable of withstanding the trying climate of the extreme 
Korch, will be found more or less desirable in the case of the strawberry; 
since, although indigenous, it naturally occurs iu sheltered situations, 
while under cultivation it is usually void of such protection. 

At the East there are few, if any, indications of essential differences 
of experience between the northern and southern portions of JSTew Eng- 
land so fiir as the varieties of the strawberry are concerned, although 
it may fairly be assumed that protection, either by mulch, or by a cov- 
ering of snow, will become more and more essential as we go northward, 
while, other circumstances being equal, the same varieties will, as the 
rule, be found similarly successful in both regions. 

At the Northwest, however, the diversity, as well as the severity, of 
the climate is far greater, to which umy be added the fact that through- 
out much of this region there is practically little experience u]mn which 
conclusions may be based. 

The reports and recommendations of growers in these regions, more- 
over, afford indications that they are made mainly from the market stand- 
jjoint of mere profitableness, rather than from that of the grower for fam- 
ily or amateur puposes. Be this as it may, the varieties most highly 
commended for planting throughout the region are almost exclusively 
those more generally commended elsewhere by growers for the market. 

Selecting from these the twelve most generally recommended for i)lant- 
ing in Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Dakota, and westward, their rela- 
tive popularity is found to be, as nearly as may be, in the following pro- 
portions: Crescent, 35; "\Vilson, 19; Glendale, 12; Charles Downing, 
11; Manchester, 10; Phelps (Old Ironclad), 10; Vick, 8; Captain Jack, 
7; Downer, 7; Cumberlaml, 4; Countess, 3; Kentucky, 2. 

The fact that occasionally the Crescent (usually considered pistil- 
late) is the only variety recommended in many cases, thus leaving it 
destitute of a pollen-supplying variety, would seem to justify the sus- 
picion that the recommendations n^^ay not iu all cases have been made 



8 

with due deliberation ; while the notable omission of varieties generally 
recognized as representatives of quality, and hence adapted to supply 
the requirements of discriminating tastes, may be supposed to indicate 
a too-general control of the societies in the regions in question by 
purely commercial growers. 

In Minnesota the growing of this fruit for market purposes has been 
found profitable as far north as Moorhead and Glyndon, about latitude 
47 degrees north, where a seedling has been originated which i)roves 
so valuable, that it has received the name Manitoba Wonder. 

THE KASPBERRY. 

Of this fruit, two nativ^e species only — Ruhus strigosus and E. occident- 
alis — are recognized as possessing economic value, so far as their fruits 
are concerned. The European B. Idceus is found to be incapable of with- 
standing the extreme heat, cold, and aridity of most American climates. 

Strigosus, in its wild form, exists in abundance from the Great Lakes 
to the sea-board and northward, where it is generally protected against 
extreme cold by an ample covering of snow. 

Philadelphia, Clarke, Herstine, Outhbert, Hansell, Superb, Turner, 
and Marlboro, supposed to be seedlings of this species, and also va- 
rious others, some of which are partially or wholly of Idicus parentage 
are, or have been, more or less popular. Those of native origin maybe 
expected to prove moreor less successful even upon the Western plains, 
with irrigation where moisture is deficient, and with artificial protec- 
tion where snow is uncertain. 

Occidentali^ has a more limited range northward. Its stronger and 
taller growth subjects it more fully to the influence of extreme cold, 
while its less flexible canes render its artificial protection more difficult. 
It can scarcely be expected to succeed at the extreme Korth, except by 
the employment of effective means for winter protection. 

With this precaution, almost any of the jiopular varieties, such as 
Doolittle, Souhegan, Tyler, Ohio, Hopkins, Gregg, and many others, 
may be expected to prove reasonably successful. 

There is also a class of varieties, among which are New Ilochelle, 
Shaffer, and others, possessing the habit of occidentaUs, but with fruit 
in color and quality intermediate between this and strigosus, which, 
by many are supposed to be hybrids, and which may be expected to 
succeed at the North under treatment similar to that suggested in the 
case of occidentalis. 

The varieties of this fruit relied on at the extreme North are mainly 
those which are also popular farther South, although several seedlings 
of the region are locally commended and planted. At Menominee, Wis., 
on the northwesterly shore of Green Bay, report says that all raspber- 
ries must be covered in winter, while at Stonewall, Manitoba, Mr. 
Thomas Frankland, of that province, states that blackcaps are grown 
without i)rotection. This, if true for that locality, must very probably 
be due to an ample covering of snow in winter. 



9 

The popularity of vaneties, as indicated by reports of societies and 
the commendations of growers, is expressed in the following figures: 

Blackcaps. — Gregg, 10; Doolittle, 7; Tyler, 7; Mammoth Cluster, Gj 
Souhegau, 4; Nemaha, 2; Ohio, 2; Golden cap, 1; Beebe's Golden, 1. 

Varieties of strigosus. — Turner, 23; Cuthbert, 14; Philadelphia, 6; 
Marlborough, 5; Hansell, 4; Brandy wine, 3; Crimson Beauty, 2; 
Thwack, 1; Eeliauce, 1; Clarke, 1; Superb, 1. 

Supposed hybrids. — Shafler, 9; Caroline, 1. 

DWARF JUNEBERRY. 

The dwarf juneberry {Amelanchier canadensis, var. rotundifolia), occa. 
sionally known as service berry or shad bash, is occasionally planted, 
and has been, by some persons, sold to planters as blueberry or huckle- 
berry, to which the fruit has considerable resemblance, although far less 
desirable so far as productiveness and quality are concerned. 

The i)lant is of easy cultivation, and entirely hardy, being indigenous 
at the extreme North. In one of its forms it becomes a tree 20 to 30 
feet in height. In this form the tree is usually less productive and the 
fruit smaller. 

Professor Budd, in 1886, states that while it is a great favorite with 
birds, " when grown in large quantities, say 2 or 3 acres, what the birds 
will take will hardly be missed; but in small lots it will probably not 
be profitable. * * * We have at the college about twelve distinct 
species, from Germany, Central Asia, and Eussia. They are all small, 
from 2 to 4 feet in height, and some of them very fine." 

THE CHERRY. 

Our improved varieties of the cherry are reputed to have sprung from 
a wild species, botanically known as Prunus avium, which is suj^posed 
to have been the parent of our modern Heart, Bigarreau, and Duke va- 
rieties, and from Prumis cerasus, from which are supposed to have 
originated the Morellos, 

The former can not be considered hardy, either north or west of 
southern New England and New York, and only partially so in south- 
ern Michigan ; while from one cause or another the entire class utterly 
fails farther westward and northward. 

The Morellos, which in average seasons have been at least partially 
successful in the latitude of northern Illinois and central Iowa aud to 
some extent even farther north, were sadly injured during recent try- 
ing winters, compelling the conviction that for the regions northward 
and westward their failure may fairly be deemed a foregone conclusion, 
except, perchance, in specially -favorable localities. 

Within comparatively a few years several varieties, among which may 
be named Leib, Ostheim, Wragg, and perhaps others, have been put 
forward as having successfully withstood these trying paroxysms, and 
for this reason have attracted much attention. Upon inquiry, several, 



10 

if not all, of these are reputed to have beeu incidental importations from 
central or eastern Europe, and to have inherited their hardiness from 
the typical varieties of those regions. 

Under these circumstances the Iowa Agricultural College, through 
J. L. Budd, its professor of horticulture, made a careful study of the 
cberries of central and eastern Europe during the summer of 1882, to- 
gether with comparisons of the climate with that of Iowa and the adja- 
cent regions. 

Becoming assured that certain of the typical cherries of Silesia, 
Poland, and southern Eussia were superior in quality to those hereto- 
fore successfully grown in Iowa, and, moreover, that the similarity of 
climatic conditions warranted the hope that they would also prove suc- 
cessful here, and also, upon similar comparison, that certain varieties or 
types of this fruit from Vladimir and Kazan, still farther north, might 
be expected to withstand the climate of central and northern Minnesota 
and Dakota, during the spring of 1884 about forty varieties of cherries 
were successfully imported from those regions, planted in orchard at 
the college, and their propagation commenced for the purpose of dis- 
tribution and trial in the ISTorthwest. 

It is by no means warrantable to assume, in advance of thorough trial, 
that these novelties are to be relied on to supply the existing need, al- 
though a very recent examination, not only of the original trees planted 
in the orchard at the college, but also of those now in nursery there, 
made since the extreme heat and drought of the past summer (1887), 
shows their growth to have been strong, while the rich, glossy foliage 
was as healthy and i)erfect as could be desired, thus pretty thoroughly 
demonstrating the fact of their sufficient hardiness in this latitude, to- 
gether with their ability to resist the depletory influences of extreme 
aridity. 

The effect of the change often or fifteen degrees of latitude upon their 
productiveness, and possibly even upon the quality of the fruit, can 
only be certainly determined by their actual fruitage through perhaps 
a series of years. 

Uncertain as the result of this experiment must, so far, be considered, 
it seems to offer the chief apparent prospect for a home supply of this 
desirable fruit for the extreme North and Northwest east of the conti- 
nental divide. 

Of the varieties thus imported and on trial on the college grounds, 
Professor Budd lists and describes Vladimir, Bessarabian, Lutovka, 
Nos, 23, 24, 26, and 27, Orel; the varieties given by numbers being of 
the Bessarabian race. 

Another class of varieties, which are designated as the Ostheim 
Weichsel family, includes Strauss Weichsel, Fraueudorfer Weichsel, 
Susse Friih Weichsel, Spiite Amarelle, Griotte Precoce, Griotte Douce 
Precoce, Griotte de Ostheim, and Cerise de Ostheim. 

He also describes the following as being of mixed race : Briisseler 
Braune, Shatten Amarelle, Konigliche Amarelle, Vilna Sweet, Doube 



11 

Natte, Amarelle Bunte, FouchcS Morello, Herozog's May, Herzformige 
Weicbsel, Litbaucr's Weichsel, Sklanka, lied May, Eed Muscateller, 
Juue Amarelle, Amarelle Bouquet, Griottc du Nord, Grosse Lange, 
Double Yellow Spanish, Gla«kircbe Kurzstielige. 

Wbile the professor deems it probable tbat several of tbese may uot 
succeed above tbe latitude of southern Iowa and northern Illinois, be is 
yet of tbe oi^inion tbat otbers will prove hardy enougb for central and 
even nortbern Wisconsin, Minnesota and Dakota — a region in which 
tbe only indigenous representatives of this fruit are tbe worthless Sand 
or Mountain cberry [Primus pumila) and tbe Cboke cherry (P. Virginiana)- 

Tbe most successful variations of this fruit in tbe settled portions of 
tbe Northwest, as indicated by tbe reports of societies and tbe prefer- 
ences of planters, are indicated by tbe numbers attacbed to names of 
varieties, as follows : 

Early Kichmoud, 11; Englisb Morello, 9 ; Wragg, 5 ; Ostbeim, 5; 
Late Eicbmond, 3 ; Montmorency, 3 ; Vladimir, 1. 

Dr. T. H. H.oskins, of nortbern Vermont, in tbe American Garden, 
says : 

"Tlio Kentish cherries, early aud late, with several of the Dukes and Griottes 
(Mazzards) endure even our hard winters, and sometimes become quite large trees 
yet rarely produce a full crop of fruit. » * * We are hoping much from the re- 
cently-imported Rus&ian, Polish, aud north German cherries and plums ; but in order 
to get high qaalitj', in addition to hardiness of tree and bud, the same ^york of cross- 
ing may be necessary as in the cases of the i>ears and apples. That good results can 
be realized in a reasonably short time in such experiments has been frequently 
proved ; aud a great field is open for those rightly situated, who will enter upon the 
work seriously and follow it up perseveringly." 

THE CURRANT. 

Botb tbe Black currant [Ribes nigrum) — a native of nortbern Europe 
and Asia — and tbe Ked currant {Ribes rubrum) — a native of nortbern 
America — will doubtless be found abundantly bardy at the extreme 
North ; at least wben given a sbady location, and assisted by irrigation 
in regions in wbicb moisture is deficient. Botb are of extreme northern 
origin, and will doubtless be found proof against injury from low tem- 
[)eratures. 

The Missouri Currant {Ribes aureum) is valued cbiefly for ornamental 
purposes. It is found wild in Kansas, and also as far northward as Da. 
kota, aiul if not indigenous, it must bave been introduced tbere at a very 
early i^eriod. 

Tbe wbite currants are considered to be mere varieties of tbe red cur- 
rant. 

Naming tbem in tbe order of their apparent popularity, numbers are 
attacbed to indicate tbe relative values, as indicated by reports and dis- 
cussions: 

Ked Dutch, 13; Fay, 12 ; Wbite Dutcli,9 ; White Grape, 9 ; Victoria, 
9; Gberry, 7; Long bunched Ilolland, G; Black Naples, 5; Stewart, (a 
local seedling), 2; Lee (black), 1. 



12 

THE GOOSEBERRY. 

This fruit, also known botanically as Bihes, is essentially American 
and nortlieru in its habitat ; appearing on this continent under several 
forms. The single English species Bibes reva-cris^ja, so generally 
grown in England as a garden fruit, is believed to be the only species 
of Euroi)ean nativity. It proves unable to withstand the heat and 
aridity of our American climate. In the cool, moist climate of England 
it has sported into a great number of varieties, some of which are of 
very large size. 

Comparatively slight improvement has, so far, been effected with 
those indigenous to America. Among the improved varieties from this 
source are Houghton and Mountain seedlings. Downing and Smith 
are more recent originations, of larger size 5 which give indications of 
a possible hybridization with the Euroj)ean species. 

Industry is a very recent introduction to American growers. It is an 
alleged seedling of the European species; but is said to be so much 
less liable to mildew, as to warrant the hope that it may prove adapted 
to this climate. Its permanent exemption is, however, still a matter of 
doubt. 

Even the purely native Houghton occasionally, under unfavorable 
conditions, is found to suffer from mildew ; which is the chief obstacle 
to the success of the European species here. 

The improved natives, including Downing and Smith, are abundantly 
hardy in central Minnesota; although at Minneapolis the Downing, 
for some cause not understood, has shown a lack ot productiveness. 
There can, however, be little doubt of the success to the American va- 
rieties at the North and West, if grown in shaded situations, with the re- 
quisite conditions of coolness and moisture. Houghton, Downing, and 
Smith are the varieties which seem to be more generally popular. The 
gooseberry is now, however, extensively grown in the Northwest. 

THE BLUEBERRY. 

The Blueberry (Vacchiium) (which formerly included the Huckle- 
berry, now Gaylussacia), is so peculiarly exacting as to soils and sur- 
roundings, that but rare, and generally ineffectual, attempts have been 
made to subject it to cultivation and improvement; although few of the 
smaller fruits are more highly valued where it is known and accessible. 
It is essentially a Northern plant, and the fruit is abundantly produced 
in the region of the Great Lakes, and eastward to the seaboard. 

Some, at least, of the various species occur farther west, in localities 
in which suitable soils and other needful conditions occur. 

THE BLACKBERRY. 

The Blackberry {Ruhus villosu.s) and its near relative, the Dewberry, 
[Ruhus canadensis) are indigenous throughout the northern States, gen- 



13 

erally iu partially-sheltered locations, or in tracts of land but recently 
burned over. 

From such localities immense quantities of this fruit annually find 
sale in the markets of large cities and towns. The fruit thus so pro- 
duced has been so abundant that, until recently, little attempt has been 
made to improve it, and this little mainly by selection of choice seed- 
liogs. A few of those most liiiely to jirove hardy enough for the North 
and West are Snyder, Taylor, Stone, Wallace, Western Triumph, An- 
cient Briton, and perhaps a few others. 

The habit of the plant is to produce its fruit-buds for the ensuing 
crop near the top, where the injury in winter is most likely to occur, 
with the frequent result of a i^artial, or possibly of an entire, loss of 
the crop of fruit, liven the so-called hardy varieties are by no means 
entirely exempt from such loss when fully exposed during winter. In 
fact, when it is recollected that the blackberry is naturally an under- 
growth, we may be allowed to doubt if, with the habit of fruiting al- 
ready mentioned, there is ground for hope that a variety capable of 
withstanding a full exposure during occasional crucial winters is even 
among the possibilities. 

If iu the more moist and equable climate of the region of the Great 
Lakes it is found practicable and profitable to protect the fruiting canes 
in winter, there must doubtless be increased occasion for such practice 
in the drier atmosphere and severer winter temperatures farther west 
and north, where quite probably, even with the hardiest varieties, the 
plants may require to be well covered with snow, mulch, or earth, to 
avoid the alternative of a loss of the crop of fruit. The low spreading 
habit of the Tajior, Stone, and perhaps others, is advantageous for 
such purpose ; while the stout upright growth of many others increases 
the liability to break the canes in the process of laying down. 

The trailing habit of the dewberry would, in a snowy region, insure 
an ample covering; while, if needful, they may be easily covered with 
earth or mulch. 

There are several varieties before the public; but of those dissem- 
inated and fully tested, the Lucretia is the only one that has received 
general and satisfactory indorsement. 

The following varieties are more or less grown in the Northwest ; the 
numbers indicating their relative popularity : 

BlacJcberries. Snyder, 21; Ancient Briton, 11; Stone, 7, Taylor, 2; 
Thornless ( ? ), 2 ; Kittatinny, 1 ; Wallace, 1. 

Deicherries. — Lucretia, 4, and a local seedling yet unnamed, discovered 
by Dewain Cook, of Windom, Minn.,* 1; also one recommended at 
Sparta, Wis., as productive and excellent, 1. 

THE MULBERRY. 

The Black mulberry [Morus nigra), said to have originated in Central 
Asia, and to have been introduced into southern Europe more than a 

* This variety has recently beeu named Wiudoui. — H. E. Van Dejian, 



14 

thousand years ago, is reputed to be the parent of what is now known 
as the Eussian Mulberry, which is the only species requiring notice in 
this connection. 

Having been introduced into the West by the Mennonites who emmi- 
grated from Russia, it has manifested a degree of hardiness superior to 
that of any other mulberry. Its limit northward on this continent 
can not yet be said to have been determined. 

The fruit can not be said to possess any special present value, and its 
prospective importance must depend upon the chance of improvement 
by new originations from seed. Even in this direction the probability 
of improvement is apparently very remote.* 

THE CRANBERRY. 

The Cranberry ( Yaccinmm macrocarpon) belongs exclusively to the 
North, where it assumes much importance as a commercial fruit. It is 
largely grown for market from New Jersey northward to and including 
the British provinces. The business in New Jersey and Massachusetts 
is mainly confined to the sea-coast. 

Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota possess superior natural ad- 
vantages of both soil and climate for the purpose 5 and, although iu 
these States the interest is less fully developed, the production of this 
fruit here is being rapidly increased. 

Many marshes throughout both peninsulas of Michigan were natu- 
rally well stocked with the cranberry; and, although during the settle- 
ment and development of the State many of these have been drained 
and converted into arable land, large tracts are still in their pristine 
condition. In Berrien and Ottawa Counties, and probably elsewhere, 
considerable tracts have been prepared and stocked with the vines 
with profitable results, and the business seems likely to increase. 

Probably the most extensive plantations are to be found in WiscoQ- 
sin. It is estimated that in four counties in the central part of this 
State there are fully 50,000 acres of marsh adapted to the growth of 
this fruit, much of which is already in process of improvement for this 
purpose. The usual process here seems to be to clear the ground of 
brush, and bj' partial drainage to enable the plants to take possession 
of the soil, which they are said to do within a comparatively short 
jjeriod, thus avoiding the expense of preparing andi^lantiug the ground 
and cultivating till the plants have covered the surface. 

A tract of 1,080 acres, owned by a company who have already invested 
a considerable sum thereon, is being improved upon the following plan: 
At the upper side of the marsh a reservoir of ample capacity is created 
by digging a ditch across the slope (which is very slight), throwing the 
earth upon the upper side, thus constructfng an embankment or dam, 
with sluices and flood-gates at convenient points, by means of which the 
water may be accumulated and turned upon the space below at pleasure. 

*A11 of the many varieties I have observed iu several Western States were too 
small and poorly flavored to be valuable except as bird feed. — H. E. Van Deman, 



15 

Below, aiid at right angles with the einbaukineut already spokeu of, 
a ditch is dug nearly centrally through the marsh of suflhcient capacity 
to receive the waste and surplus water. The earth from this ditch is 
used to construct an embankment upon each side thereof ; and the water 
therein is maintained at a depth and width sufficient to float a small 
flat-boat, which is employed for transporting matericil, as well as for 
collecting the fruit when picked. The lower end extends to and within 
a building, which serves as a storage and packing room for the fruit 
when picked and awaiting transportation. 

The marsli below the reservoir is cut up by side and cross ditches 
into blocks of five or more acres, each of which is capable of being sep- 
arately flooded from the reservoir and ditches above by means of sluices, 
as already described. 

When a new block has been prepared the sluices entering it are left 
open, and it is kept flooded during the growing season, with the result 
that the trees, shrubs, and bushes growing thereon are killed. The 
sluices are then closed, the trees and brush, if any, removed; and the 
cranberries that may be already thereon left to take full possession. In 
case of a block not sufficiently stocked with natural plants for the pur- 
pose, the ground is carefully fitted as for a farm crop; a lot of rooted 
plants are cut into sections, which are sowed and harrowed in, in the 
usual manner of farm-sowed crops; usually with a favorable result. 

Little seems to be known respecting the status of cranberry culture 
in Minnesota, beyond the fact that the fruit is indigenous and abundant 
in its wild state, and that a very considerable amount is supplied to 
commerce. 

That it is less abundant in the wild state in Dakota and Montana can 
scarcely be chargeable to unfavorable climate, but rather to a lack of the 
peculiar conditions of soil and moisture indispensable to the growth and 
prosperity of the plant. 

Mr. E. Eeeves, of Waverly, Iowa, in a report to the State Horticult- 
ural Society for 188G, page 152, says, " The Highland cranberry ( Vibur- 
num opulus) is not grown as much as it should be. It is a native of our 
part of the State and is perfectly hardy. It does best on a moist soil, is 
readily grown from cuttings, and bears good crops of fruit, nearly equal 
to that found in the markets." 

The plant is indigenous as far north as British America, but is usually 
accounted but a poor substitute for that already described. This fruit, 
however, seems quite unlikely to become a competitor of the ordinary 
cranberry. 

THE APRICOT. 

The Apricot [Prunus Armeniaca), is reputed to be a native of Armenia, 
and to have been brought into southern Europe in the time of Alexan- 
der the Great. 

Seeds of a species (or variety?) differing, at least in hardiness, from 
the varieties of southern Europe were brought to this country from 



16 

southern Russia by the Mennonites some years since. These have 
been generally reproduced in this country, and considerably dissemi- 
nated as seedlings, which are found to vary greatly in quality. More 
recently some Western nurserymen have made selections from the best 
of these and have undertaken their propagation. 

The apricot has hitherto proved to be so uncertain a fruit at the 
North, that a variety of even tolerable quality, that shall prove success- 
ful north of the Middle States, will no doubt be welcomed as an acqui- 
sition. It must, however, be admitted that the question of the value of 
this new introduction anywhere in this country or for any purpose is 
yet to be decided ; while it can scarcely be hoped that it will succeed 
north of central Iowa, and possibly some portion of southern Michigan, 
where in favorable situations the more common varieties of this fruit 
fail more especially on account of very early blooming. 

Professor Budd, of Iowa (who is by some persons thought to be 
occasionally excessively enthusiastic respecting the prospective value 
of Eussian fruits), says in a bulletin of 1885: 

We find not in Russia, however, any varieties of the apricot equal to their best 
plums. We believe the best apricots of the world, for our climate, are to be found in 
north Bokhara and northwest China, [adding] We are sending out for trial plants 
of a variety from the hill country northwest of Pekin, China, which seems specially 
promising for the parts of the West south of the forty-first-parallel. 

Among those thus named, propagated, and catalogued are the follow- 
ing six varieties introduced by Carpenter & Gage, of Nebraska : Alex- 
ander, Alexis, Budd, Catharine, Gibb, and Nicholas. 

The following additional varieties are believed to have been selected 
and introduced by A. H. Griesa, of Kansas, viz : Byram, Evatt, Preib, 
Remer, and Smith. 

Although these have ostensibly been selected for propagation as 
stated, little is yet known of them beyond what is stated by their intro- 
ducers. Their real value must depend almost wholly upon the results 
of extensive trial over an extended region. 

THE PLUM. 

The cultivated Plum of the Northern states {Prunus domestica)^ which, 
according to Dr. Gray, is supposed to have sprung from the Sloe, is an 
introduction from Europe. It proves hardy and successful from New 
England westward to and including the lower peninsula of Michigan, 
although almost universally attacked by the curculio, which usually 
ruins the fruit, unless efficient means are employed to save it. 

The fruit is also, in many localities, attacked by what is known as 
" the Rot," which appears to be either accompanied or caused by fun- 
gus, which manifests itself in connection with the decay, which usually 
occurs just prior to the season of maturity, often ruining nearly or quite 
the entire crop of fruit. 

The foliage is also frequently attacked, toward the end of summer, 



17 

by a malady which causes the premature ripeiiiug aud droppiug of the 
leaves, leaviug the fruit but partially grown and the wood yet imma- 
ture, in which case the tree is often either injured or killed by the cold 
of the following winter. By some persons this malady also is attributed 
to the attacks of a minute or microscopic fungus, although no sufficient 
examination is known to have been made to determine the question. 

The branches, aud occasionally even the trunk, of the tree are also 
liable to be attacked by a fungus known as Black Knot, and botanically 
as Splucria morhosa, which occasions unsightly protuberances, and, if 
neglected, is quite sure to ruin the tree, but which may generally be 
overcome by the prompt cutting away aud burning of the diseased 
parts, to prevent the dissemination of the spores. 

These various maladies have proved so serious, that in many locali- 
ties once considered fiivorable, the growing of this species of plums has 
been nearly or quite abandoned; although in the northern portions of 
lower Michigan, in portions of the more easterly States, as well as in 
Canada eastward of the Great Lakes, either from more fiivorable cli- 
matic influences or because the inducing causes have not yet reached 
them, this fruit is still abundantly successful 5 becoming in such locali- 
ties not infrequently a very considerable source of revenue. 

Farther westward, either from lower extremes of temperature /or a 
more arid climate, or possibly from a combination of the two, this spe- 
cies of plum fails almost wholly. 

The native plum of the South {Prurius cMcasa), grows in the wild state 
in Kentucky and southwestward ; and in those regions seedlings of 
this, among which may be named several known by the common title 
Wild Goose, have been found productive and profitable under cultiv^a- 
tion. These have been tested at the North and found abundantly hardy ; 
but, although they often bloom freely there, either from imperfection of 
the bloom or from other and unknown cause they almost invariably 
prove obstinately unproductive, and hence worthless, unless, as some 
have been led to hope, this defect can be remedied by the adjacent plant- 
ing of other pollen-producing varieties — a hope vhich as yet lacks the 
confirmation of actual authentic experience. 

The native plum of the North {Primus Americana,) is indigenous from 
about latitude 38° northward, far beyond the limits of the United States. 
It is quite at home in the lowest lands and along the margins of streams 
where the lowest range of the thermometer is known to occur. It is al- 
ways abundantly, if not excessively, productive ; and even in the regions 
in which the domestka varieties are most liable to the attacks of the 
curculio, this species mainly escapes ; while in the specimens which bear 
the mark of the Little Turk, the larvae very generally fail to develop. 

D. B. Wier, of Illinois, advances the hypothesis, which he insists is 

borne out by his own experience in the growing of this fruit, that while 

the curculio freely punctures this class of plums, the larvae very rarely 

develop ; and upon this circumstance he bases the conclusion that the 

15249— Bull 2 2 



18 

growiug of our luitivo species would probably result iu the extermina- 
tiou of the Little Turk, 

Altbough this species iu its wild state can not be said to bo of liigk 
quality, its productiveness, bardiuess, and freedom from disease, seem 
to bave directed attention to it as a possible source of improved varie- 
ties. So far as is known, the only improvement as yet bas been by 
selection. Even by this mode several desirable varieties have already 
been discovered ; some of tbem, at least, possessing qualities which in 
value, nearly' approach the popular varieties of the domestica species. 
Among these may be mentioned De Soto, Wolf, RoUingstone, and Wy- 
ant, which are on trial and being disseminated by the Iowa Agricultural 
Col lege 5, also Minor, Bassett, Climax, Forest Garden, Rockford, and 
other promising newer sorts in process of proi)agation and introduc- 
tion. To the foregoing may be added Weaver, introduced several 
years since, and Pottawatnmie, now just introduced. Thelast two are 
said to be productive in Iowa, where they originated. In Michigan, 
with but a limited trial. Weaver shows a lack of productiveness. 

There is little occasion to doubt the success of plums of this Ameri- 
cana species throughout the Northwest, at least eastward of the Rockies, 
except, possibly, where the failure shall arise from a lack of the need- 
ful moisture in the soil. 

In his General Notes on Foreign Plums, in bulletin of 1882, Pro- 
fessor Budd says : 

The varieties of really good plums, for dessert and culinary purposes, grown in 
Russia will be a matter of sur^irise to visitors. Even as far north as Moscow and 
Kazan plums of fine size and quality are grown in great abundance. We have intro- 
duced a number of line sorts which we are propagating and sending out for trial. 
Their success with us will not hinge on their hardiness or tendency to iiroduce fruit, 
but on their relative exemption from attacks of the curculio. We have much reason 
to believe that such sorts as the Eed and Yellow Arab, Moldavka, Hungarian, Long 
Blue, Long Eed, Long Yellow, and Skorospelka will not be injured by the Little Turk 
to a greater extent than our native sorts, as, like them, thej' start the fruit late, and 
it is developed with great rapidity. In no line of our experimental work do we ex- 
pect more useful results than in our trial of the best Russian plums. 

Although the foregoing was published more than two years since, it 
is not known that any of these plums have even yet fruited in this 
country. The effect, therefore, if any, of so wide a departure in longi- 
tude, and the probably more marked result of a transfer southward of 
14P of latitude, are yet to be determined ; and since the professor foils 
to clearly indicate the premises upon which his expectations have been 
based, there is no apparent alternative but to wait and hope for the 
desirable results which he seems so confidently to anticipate. 

In the transactions of the Iowa Horticultural Society for 18SG the 
Xirofessor says : 

Of the Russian plums which I am testing I can say but little as yet ; some of them 
are of the Lombard type in appearance. Our native varieties seem to do well, such 
as Bassett, De Soto, Climax, Forest Garden, and Weaver. The last named does not 
seem very productive. The Robinson and Mariauiia I have not tried long enough to 
speak intelligently about. 



19 

III the same volume, at page 437, Mr. Bartou advances the idea 
that— 

Tbo Miner plum [why uot others also — Writer] ripens its pollen before the stamen 
is ready to receive it. This difficulty could be obviated by planting another plnm 
adjacent, which ripens its pollen at just the right time. 

Some iudicatiou of tbe varieties of iilums under cultivation in this 
region may be gathered from the following list. Their apparent rela- 
tive popularity is indicated by the numbers attached : 

DeSoto, 29; Forest Garden, 17; Miner, 15; Weaver, 9; Wolf, 7; 
Wild Goose, 7; Eolliug-stone, 5; Maquoketa, 4; Cheney (the earliest), 
2; li^ewman, 2; Speer, 2; Marianna, 1; Eobinson, 1 ; Harrison's Peach, 
1; Moore's Arctic, 1; Van Buren, 1; Winnebago, 1; Eockwell, 1; 
Ir^haffer, 1; Lombard, 1; Shipper's Pride, 1 ; Clemmons, 1 ; Oglesby, 1. 
Several of these are recent introductions, and not generally known 
and tested. 

TIIK PEACH. 

The Peach {Amygdalus Fersica) is reputed to be a native of Persia, 
and to have originated from the almond. The Nectarine is usually con- 
sidered to be merely a variety of the peach with a smooth skin. It is 
known, in fiict, that within a recent period certain existing varieties of 
the nectarine have been originated from seed of the peach.* 

The limit northward of the peach-growing region proper at the East 
may be said to be about latitude 42°; although near the sea-coast, and 
also in New York and in jiortions of Ontario, the ameliorating influence 
of the ocean and of Lake Ontario carrj' it somewhat above 43°. Far- 
ther west, in Michigan, it extends yet farther north; within the more 
immediate influence of Lakes Michigan and Huron even as far as lati- 
tude 45° 30'. Farther west, and away from the influence of the Great 
Lakes, the limit of the profitable cultivation of this fruit occurs much 
farther south, probably even below latitude 40°, or in southern Illinois 
and. northern Missouri. 

At the northwestward of Lake Michigan the i^each, therefore, can 
only be grown as an exotic. There have been various efforts to devise 
some cheap and effective process for the protection of the tree against 
the extremes of cold during winter, which occasionally ruin the fruit- 
buds and even the trees. So far, however, nothing effective has been 
devised short of actually laying down the trees and covering them with 
earth during the winter. 

Prof. J. L. Budd, in the course of his experiments with hardy Euro- 
pean fruits, has imported from eastern Asia what he hopes may prove a 
hardier type of this fruit. In a college bulletin issued in 1885 he 
says : 

The peach does not vary as much in hardiness of varieties as the other orchard 
fruits of the temperate zone. In our experiments we have used the Wager and Hill's 
Chili as a standard of hardiness of the old varieties, coming originally from Persia. 

* This I have done repeatedly on my own farm in Kansas. — H. E. Vax Demax. 



20 

Four years ago we imported plants of eleven varieties of the peach from Pekin, 
China, they having been procured for our use from the hill country northwest of 
Pekin. They have larger, thicker leaves than our common sorts, ripen their wood 
earlier in fall, and have proven 30 per cent, hardier than our old sorts. Plants we 
have sent out for trial have stood well in south Iowa, north Missouri and Kansas. 
Some of them will prove valuable on the northern borders of the peach belt. 

Two years ago we received pits of the peach from Riga, Russia, said to have been 
brought from Central Asia. The plants are now two years old, and show marked 
variation in leaf, bud, glands of leaf, and habit of early ripening of wood, from the 
old varieties originally from Persia. 

We are now trying to secure iiits from north Bokara, in Asia, the most extreme 
climate, so far as I know, where the peach is grown. The most we expect to do in 
this line is to make peach-growing possible on the northern borders of the present 
peach belt. 

A peacli, said to be a native of Ciiina, and known as Tong-Pa, is re- 
ported to have been a couple of years on trial in Iowa County, in east- 
ern Iowa; but witli so short experience, no conclusion has yet been 
reached respecting its probable value for that locality. 

Peter M. Gideou, of Excelsior, Minn., has a small plantation of bear- 
ing peach trees, planted with reference to laying down and covering 
with earth in winter. In August, 1887, these were in thrifty condition, 
and carrying some fruit; having apparently been three or four years 
planted, and from 8 to 10 feet in height. 

THE GRAPE. 

The Grape {Vitis) is represented in Europe only by the single species 
vinifera, although since the advent of the phylloxera in the grape- 
growing regions of that country importations of American species 
have been freely made, with the hope that, by their more robust habit, 
they may prove better able to resist the attacks of this new enemy. 
This species proves obstinately unsuccessful throughout the eastern 
United States. A very considerable number of our improved American 
varieties have nevertheless become tainted with this strain by hybrid- 
ization, and many of these seem to have derived desirable qualities 
from this source; although generally, if not always, with increased ten- 
dency to suffer from mildew— the chief enemy of the viwfera class in 
this country. 

Of our American species, Vitis cordifolia — the northern Frost Grape- 
is indigenous far northward of the United States. By modern botan- 
ists this is blended with or included in riimria. 

Vitis lahrmca — the indigenous wild grape of New England — becomes 
more rare as we proceed westward, occurring very rarely in western 
New York and Michigan; and, it is believed, wholly disappearing, as 
an indigenous growth farther west. 

Vitis ccstivalis can only be said to be indigenous south of the region 
under consideration ; though occasionally extending sporadically into 
its southern portions. 

Within the past thirty or forty years, in the process of improving 
our native grapes by reproduction and bringing them under cultivation 



21 

wliile tbere yet remain many varieties which clearly represent the orig- 
inal species, these species have in many cases become so blended 
by hybridization, that freqnently nothing short of an authentic history 
of a variety" would suffice to assign it its correct specific position. 

As the result of this blending and improvement, the resultant varie- 
ties have come to be planted indiscriminately throughout the region 
under consideration; reference being mainly had to their probable 
ability to mature their fruit within the season, and resort being had to 
protection in winter in regions in which very low temperatures are to 
be anticipated. 

Vitus vulirina (roiundifoUa), which includes the Scuppernong, also 
candicans. cincrea, monticola, Novo Mexicana^ and rupestris, are Southern 
species, generally lacking hardiness at the North; few if any of tbem 
having produced varieties of value for Northern planting. The fact 
that Catawba and Isabella grapes, perfectly ripened in tbe open air at 
Excelsior, Minn., on the banks of Lake Minnetonka, were awarded 
a premium at tbe New Orleans Exposition, was a surprise to very many; 
since the former especially is not, with ordinary surroundings, consid- 
ered sure to ripen fully north of latitude 39° or 40°. 

Tbat these varieties canbe fully matured in tbe open air five or six de- 
grees farther north, would indicate that tbe summers there are specially 
favorable for the purpose. A visit this year to the vineyard which sup- 
plied the specimens in question showed tbat it is favorably situated on 
dry, warm soil, sloping rapidly to the east and soutb, and that the cul- 
tivation and pruning were of the best and most effective kind, render- 
ing the laying down and covering of the plants (wbich is indispensable 
here) easy and effective. Under only ordinary circumstances, however, 
many varieties were in an advanced stage of ripeness, and "Minnetonka 
grapes" were freely offered in the markets of Minneapolis and Saint 
Paul as early as the ISth of August. 

That there is little difference between this region and those farther 
east so far as cboice of varieties may be concerned, is clearly indicated 
by the following list, tbe relative popularity of each variety being in- 
dicated by the numbers attacbed to eacb, and tbe varieties being those 
recommended in the discussions of societies and the reports of com- 
mittees : 

Concord, 33; Moore, 27; Worden, 27; Delaware, 12; Pocklington, 
12; Martha, 12; Janesville, 12; Agawam, 9; Lady, 9; Cottage, 8; 
Brighton, 7; Salem, G; Telegraph, 6; Elvira, G; Niagara, 5; Ives, 5; 
Dracut Amber, 5; Lady Washington, 5; Empire State, 4; Wilder, 3; 
Woodruff Red, 3 ; Coe, 2 ; Early Victor, 2 ; Perkins, 2; Vergennes, 2; 
Eumelan, 1; Barry, 1; Massasoit, 1; Lindley, 1; Champion, 1; Jessica, 
1; Florence,!; Hartford, 1; Crevelling, 1; New Haven, 1 ; Wyoming 
lied, 1; Northern Muscadine, 1; Clintoi^ 1; Marion, 1 ; Bacchus, 1; 
Black Hawk, 1 ; Black Eagle, 1 ; Beauty, 1 ; Red Fox, 1; El Dorado, 1 ; 
Jefferson, 1 ; Ducbess, 1 ; loua, 1; Rogers No. 33, 1. 



22 

The impolicy of the very comLnou practice among the originators and 
introducers of new varieties of sending them out under numbers is 
strikingly'- manifest in the almost universal custom in the Northwest, in 
the discussions and reports of horticultural gatherings, to continue the 
use of the original numbers, sometimes coupled with the name, but 
quite frequently without such accompaniment, not only greatly to the 
inconvenience of the hearer or the reader of a report, but also with a 
greatly-increased liabilit^^ to error consequent upon the use of figures. 

It would, beyond doubt, inure greatly to the convenience of all con- 
cerned, if all societies could be induced, in cases in which names exist, to 
resolutely exclude the numbers from their discussions, and especially 
from the reports of their transactions. 

THE TEAR. 

The Pear of Europe and America {Pijrus communis) is indigenous in 
Europe and Asia. It had early been subjected to cultivation in Syria, 
Egypt, and Greece, and thence introduced into Italy during the early 
days of Rome. From this species comes the great mass of our modern 
varieties; although there are other species, among which are the Aure- 
lian(Pj/ntssaZyi/o/m), a native of France; the Snowy pear (Pj/rHswiyaZ/,'^), 
a native of Australia, neither of which are represented among our cul- 
tivated varieties, and the Sand pear {Pyrus sinensis), a native of China 
and Cochiu-China, from which, by hybridization with P. communis, the 
modern Le Conte, Kiefifer, and others are siqjjjosed to have originated.* 

Between March, 1879, and some time in 1884, Professor Budd, as the 
representative of the Iowa Agricultural College, made no less than 
twelve importations of pear trees or scions from dift'ereut localities in 
Russia (including Poland) and Germany; also an importation from 
northwestern China. 

The varieties included in these importations number sixty-three ; 
although an uncertain number will probably prove to be duplicates. In 
publishing lists of the varieties thus introduced the professor remarks : 

Our experimeuts with the pear niaiuly date from the time of our visit to east Eu- 
rope, in 1882. 

With soine of the varieties of central and east Russia our i^rogress has been slow, 
as the scions had not been packed yjroperly for so long a journey. Yet we now have 
specimen plants of most of the varieties specially attracting our attention as likely 
to prove valuable for culinary or dassert uses, and we have sent out for trial many 
plants of the most promising sorts. 

Our soil is not favorable for the pear; hence we used our first-planted trees in a 
rough way, by taking off all the new wood each year for scions. This treatment, com- 
bined with the severe weather of the last two winters, has given us correct notions 
as to the relative hardiness of varieties. 

The following is a list of the varieties of pears imported by Professor 
Budd, with the names, as reported to i he American Pomological So- 

* It should be clearly understood that this is the merest conjecture, and that they 
are almost worthless in quality when grown north of about 38°. — H. E. Van Demax. 



ciety by Mr. Charles Gibb, of Abbotsford, proviace of Quebec, Canada, 
at the society's ineetiug at Boston, in September 1887. These names 
are arranged alphabetically, and accompanied by the Eassian or Ger- 
man names, to insure ready identification. Until they shall have been 
printed and compared, there is of course a liability, as already stated, 
that some of them may prove to be duplicates : 



Adopted uamo. 


Russian name. 


Adopted name. 


Russian name. 


Antumn Bergamot. 


Bergamot Osennui. 


Lemon. 


Limonnaya. 


Baba. 


Gruscha Baba. 


Long Greeu (introduced 


Longae Verte. 


Bauvier d' Autonine. 


Bauvier d'Automne. 


long since;. 




Bear. 


Dula Medviedevka. 


Long Stem. 


Dolgokvostka Moros- 


Czar. 


Tsarskaya. 




ovskaya. 


Double Beuric. 


MaslitchnayaDvoinaya. 


Lutovka. 


Lutovka. 


Dula. 


Dula. 


Ogonka. 


Ogonka. 


Early Duchess. 


Duchesse Precoce. 


Pasovka. 


Pasovka. 


Early Bergamot. 


Bergamot Rannaya^. 


Polish Lemon. 


(Jytrymova. 


Father's Keepsake. 


Oicovska. 


Poltava. 


I'oltavskaya. 


Peigen. 


Feigeubirne. 


Pomerauia. 


Pomeranzeubirne. 


ITlat Bergamot. 


Bergamot Ploskui. 


Pound (introduced long 


I'fuudbirue. 


Gakovak. 


Gakovskaya. 


since). 




Goubalt(introduced long 


Goubalt. 


Princess. 


Princeasbirne. 


since). 




Red Bergamot. 


Bergamot Krasnui. 


Green Bergamot. 


Bergamot Zelenni. 


Saccharine. 


Sacbarnaya. 


Green Wine. 


Griine Weinbirne. 


Salzburg. 


Salzburger. 


Grella. 


Grella. 


Sapieganka. 


Bergamot Sapieganka. 


Grumkowor. 


Grumkower. 


Scented. 


Duchovaya. 


Gute Griine. 


Gute Griine. 


Seedless. 


Bessemianka. 


Honey. 


Gliva Medovaya (Ho- 


Strawberry. 


Semlianitchuaya. 




nigbirue). 


Sugar. 


Zuckerbirne. 


Juicy Gliva. 


Gliva Otschen Sotch- 


Victorina. 


Victorina Muogoplod- 




naya. 




naya. 


Junfer. 


Junferbirne. 


Vinograd. 


Vinogradnni. 


Konsun's Bergamot. 


Korsun's Bergamot. 


Vsduti Bergamot. 


Vsduti Bergamot. 


Kostotchka. 


Kostotchkn. 


Waxen. 


Voskavaya. 


Krupyanka. 


Krupyanka. 


White Livland. 


Butteibirne, WeissoLiv- 


Kursk. 


Gliva' Kurskaya. 




landische. 


Kursk Bergamot. 


Bergamot Kurski. 


Winter. 


Osimaya. 


Large Sugar. 


Zuckerbirne, Grosse. 







At the annual meeting of the Iowa Horticultural Society in January, 
1887, Hon. C. L. Watrous, reporting for the vicinity of Des Moines, 
Iowa, says: 

Of pears there are uoi euougli trees to couut. Young trees of Seedless seeui healtlij' 
and free from blight. Whether they will bear fruit, or what may be its quality, we 
know not, but live in hoi^es. 

Andrew Peterson, of Carver County, southern Minnesota, during the 
summer of 1886, had several varieties of Russian pears and apples from 
bis native country, Sweden; but, judging from appearances, he deemed 
those from Russia the most promising for Minnesota, In January, 1887, 
he reported the Russian pear trees as showing no injury up to that 
date; while of sixty varieties imported from Sweden one only is suf- 
ficiently hardy for Minnesota. 

Professor Porter, of the Minnesota Agricultural College, reports a 
few Russian pears as on trial at that institution, near Minneapolis, 
where they give promise of much value. 

The seedless pear [Bessemianka) is also reported to be on trial at 
Ramsey, McCook County, Dakota. 



24 

A few pear trees grown from seeds brought from Russia by the 
Mennonites, are said to be growing in southwestern Minnesota. 
Professor Budd, in January, 1887, said : 

I believed six years ago, and am stronger in tlio belief now, that east Europe has 
many sorts of pear, cherry, and plum which would give perfect satisfaction in the 
north half of Iowa, and some in Minnesota and the north half of Dakota. 

It is feared by many that the transplacing of Eussian fruits to the 
much lower latitude of Iowa may greatly affect their season of matur- 
ity, and that it may even injuriously affect their quality and, by possi- 
bility, their hardiness ; but the season of ripening may be deemed less 
important with this fruit than with the apple. These influences will 
therefore be more fully considered in connection with that fruit. 

In advance of a thorough trial. Professor Budd expresses the convic- 
tion that a very considerable number of the varieties mentioned in the 
foregoing list will j)rove hardy as far north as central Iowa, while a 
few of them, among which he names Seedless, Gakovsk, and others are 
considered to be adapted to a wider, though yet indefinite, range north- 
ward. Careful and extended experiment, such as he is understood 
to have already in progress, can only surely determine the correctness 
of these suppositions. Meantime he suggests a resort to the artificial 
crossing of the best and hardiest of the older and well-known varieties 
upon the most promising of these foreigners, with the hope of improve- 
ment possibly in both quality and hardiness. 

Speaking with reference to southwestern Iowa, he remarks : 

With regard to Chinese pears, those who have condemned them get their trees 
from New Jersey or about Philadelphia. From such experience we are all inclined 
to condemn Chinese pears. On the college grounds they came through all right. I 
do not mean the Sand pear, but the Snow pear. Some of them I can recommend for 
this part of the State. 

We have Snow pear trees from northwest of Pekiu. Eugene Simons sent fifteen 
varieties of Suow pears from China to Metz, France. I was there when these were 
bearing and the pears ripe. Some of them are hardy enough for this part of Iowa; 
and I do not know how much farther north they will endure the climate. 

The professor, on another occasion, says : 

"Our pear, coming from southern Europe, is subject to blight here, but not there; 
which shows that they are not adapted to our country. We can start from seedlings 
and work up our pears. But even this is not necessary. We have a sadly-misused 
pear tree on the college farm, that made during the past year, from 3 to 5 feet 
of growth, which is entirely hardy and an abundant bearer. This pear has stood 
everywhere, without any blight, in northern Dakota, near the Eocky Mountains 
and all over the Northwest. We also have other pears which are hardy and fruitful. 

In the Prairie Farmer of September 17, 1887, the professor says : 

On general principles, I can say that Bezi de la Motte, St. Ghislain, and Flemish 
Beauty will be likely to do as well as any of the old sorts. Of the newer pears from 
Russia, the Seedless aud Gakovsk are as promising as any for home use or market. 

It is understood that the last two varieties have not yet fruited in 
this country. If so, it must be inferred that the foregoing conclusion, 
involving their productiveness and the quality of the fruit, as well as 



25 

the vigfor aud hardiness of the trees, is based mainlj^ upon his knowl- 
edge of tlieir performances in their original locality. Except upon a 
statement of the reasons for such conclusion, in such case it must be 
assumed to be rather suppositional than conclusive. 

A society report from southwestern Iowa, made in 188G, says the pear 
crop there is a failure, most of the trees being nearly dead. 

Mr. Denlinger, of Dubuque County, is reported as having on trial the 
Arctic pear, a Russian variety, which in 1885 made a growth of 3 feet. 
He also had the Keiffer on trial. 

In 1886 the Dubuque Society recommended the Longworth pear (a 
variety very little known) as worthy of trial, also the Seedless and 
Gakovsk, two of Professor Budd's importations from Eussia. 

Circumstances would indicate that these recommendations were prob- 
ably made rather on account of the apparen.t hardiness of the trees than 
from a definite knowledge of the quality of the fruit as produced in this 
country. 

An additional indication of the uncertainty of the more common varie- 
ties of this fruit even in eastern Towa occurs in a paper by John Evens, 
read before the Union Horticultural Society in 188C, as follows : 

I liave planted many pear trees, mostly staudards, but liave not fruited very many. 
Could get tliem to grow ■well for a few years, or until tliey were old enough to bear, 
and then the blight would take them. I have had the best success with Bartlett, 
Flemish Beauty, Sheldon, Tyson, Buffuni, Seckel, White Doyenne, Augouleme, and 
Lawrence. 

Secretary Hammond, of the Illinois State Horticultural Society, names 
Flemish Beauty, Anjou, and Tyson as having proved hardy in the 
northern portion of that State. 

Dr. T. H. Hoskins, of northern Vermont, in the American Garden for 
September, 1887, says of the new Russian jiears : 

Whatever may be the individual or class merit of these pears as dessert fruit (and we 
are not likely to find many, if any, equal to the best of our old varieties among them), 
they are yet remarkably interesting as a class, not only for their superior hardiness 
against cold and drought, but also from the fact that they introduce a distinctly 
new strain of blood, so to speak, and one which, by crossing upon those we already 
have, is likely to give us some superior varieties. The firm glossy foliage, not so 
thick and firm as that of the Chinese, but yet tending that way, indicates a strong 
resistant power, not only against heat aud dryness, but also against insects aud fungi. 
In the many years I have been trying in vain to discover one pear which I could grow 
successfully in northeastern Vermont, one of the most discouraging things I have 
noted about all of them (except Keiffer aud Le Conte) has been the defective charac- 
ter of the leafage. Indeed I think that if it were not for this iusurmountahle diffi- 
culty -we already have pears hardy enough to grow much farther north than they are 
with success. Without healthy leaves there can not be thoroughly matured wood ; and 
it is the weakness consequent upon this which I think has prevented my success with 
such " almost hardy " pears as Onondaga, Clapp's Favorite, Jackson, Flemish Beauty, 
and Grand Isle. They endure, as it is, all but our severest winters, and therefore it 
seems to me that if we could give them a better leaf we could grow them success- 
fully. Now it haj^peus that some of the Russian pears reported to be best in quality 
are also the hardiest and have the best foliage. A cross of Seedless, Sapieganka, 
Dula, Tonkovietka, or Pasovka upon our hardiest sorts named above might confer 



26 

upon the seedlings that better leaf which is so greatly needed. I trust that some en- 
thusiastic pear-growers may be sufficiently interested iu the matter to be willing to 
make these crosses and grow the resulting seedlings to fruitage. This can only be 
done by those so situated as to be able to grow and fruit both kinds, which we of 
the "cold North " are unable to do. 

This last conclusion is but partially true, since even at the " cold 
North " these new ironclads may be grown to fruitage and the bloom 
fertilized with pollen from milder climes.* 

How far north the pear may be successfully grown in America is a 
problem the solution of which can only be fully accomplished in the re- 
mote future. Although there is a popular notion that a plant may be 
gradually brought to endure a climate more exacting than that to which 
it was originally adapted, experience has long since shown that the 
capacity for such variation, so far as varieties are concerned, lies within 
very narrow limits. The process through which important results of 
this character are to be accomplished must rather be the more tardy 
one or reproduction and selection, either artificial or natural, through 
which all the wide adaptations of both animal and vegetable life have 
been wrought. 

By the light of science, aided by Intelligent manipulation, the other- 
wise tardy process of natural selection — the survival of the fittest — may, 
beyond a question, be greatly hastened. Doubtless, mainly through 
natural i)rocesses, these Eussian fruits have been brought to an adap- 
tation to that climate not originally inherent in the species ; and their 
introduction to the trying climate of our central prairie region thus af- 
fords to us a vantage-ground — an advanced starting-point — from which 
results desirable to us may perchance be sooner reached, since it may 
be fairly assumed that their surroundings hereof climate and soil can 
not be completely identical with those whence they were taken; and, 
if so, that new characteristics, only to be acquired through reproduc- 
tion and selection, are likely to be found needful for their proper adap- 
tation to the new surroundings. 

Viewed even in this light, the labors of Messrs. Budd and Gibb must 
be deemed to be of great value to the pomology of the North, since even 
should these introductions fail to realize the sanguine hopes of the in- 
troducers, they will surely afford the foundation, otherwise wanting, 
upon which the more certainly and rapidly to build a satisfactory 
superstructure in a nearer future. 

TUE APPLE. 

The Apple of Europe and America {Pyrus malus) was introduced in 
North America from Europe by the early settlers. It is believed to 
have sprung from the wild crab of Europe, ami was extensively culti- 

* The writer by this evidently means to refer to the fact that pollen may be aent by 
mail or otherwise Iroui regions of a milder climate, where the better, but tenderer, 
pears will succeed. It may not be generally known that pollen of many kinds may 
be kept for mouths and even years and retain its vital powers. — H. E. Van Deman. 



27 

vated by the Romans, who are supposed to bave introduced it into 
England; whence it was brought to this country. The Siberian crab 
(Pyrus baccata), in various improved forms, is more or less common in 
this countr}^, especially in regions in which superior hardmess is requi- 
site. A kindred species, known botauically as Fyrus prunifoUaj is also 
a native of Siberia. China also has an allied species, known as Pyrvs 
s2)ectabiUs. 

Our wild and uneatable native crab {Pyrus coronaria) is common in 
the northern United States, and a species known as Pyrus rividaris oc- 
curs west of the Eocky Mountains. The dwarf, or Paradise apple, used 
mainly as a stock for dwarfing the apple, is considered to be a variety 
of the common apple. 

(1) In treating the subject with more especial reference to the apple 
it appears more convenient to consider the region in question as divided 
into districts. In so doing it seems proper to commence at the east, 
designating northern ^STew York, \^ermont, Xew Hampshire, and Maine 
as the Northeastern District. 

While the Champlain Valley is found to be morecongenial to fruit cult- 
ure than most other regions in that latitude and vicinity, the favored 
location is of but limited extent. Throughout northern New York, Ver- 
mont, and New Hampshire generally the climate is quite too severe for 
the great mass of popular apples. Fameuse here being one of the most 
satisfactory of such, although even this is by no means exempt from 
occasional injury in winter, while its tendency to scab and crack is a 
serious drawback upon its usefulness. There is in this northern region 
an apparent improvement in the texture and glossiness of its foliage, 
which may be supposed to the more perfectly adapt it to a dry climate, 
as well as to increase its ability to fully mature its wood in preparation 
for the occasionally-exceptional severity of winter. Even with such 
preparation, however, it occasionally fails to withstand the trials of a 
crucial winter, and for these reasons there is here as elsewhere an anx- 
ious casting about for a hoped-for substitute. 

Several recent varieties have been tested by Dr. T. H. Hoskins, of 
Newport, Vermont, and others, among which Scott's Winter, at present, 
is thought to be the most promising, at least for the region in question. 

The importations by the Agricultural Department at Washington, 
and the more recent ones by the Agricultural College of Iowa, have been 
watched with great interest here, and many of the varieties have been 
or are being tested. Mr. Charles Gibb, of Abbotsford, Quebec, was 
the associate of Professor Buddin his expedition to central and eastern 
Europe for the purpose of studying varieties and climates, and it is 
understood that he has since made a second visit to that region upon 
the same business. 

For the purpose of, as far as ijracticable, adapting the, to us, unpro- 
nounceable pomological nomenclature of Eussia to the needs of En- 
glish-speaking people, the American Pomologieal Society, at its meeting 



28 

at Graud Rapids, Michigan, in 1SS5, constituted Mr. Gibb a committee 
of one to revise and, when needful, to Anglicize tbe names of these in- 
troduced varieties; an onerous and perplexing task, which he has now 
completed ; his final report having been made at the recent meeting of 
that society at Boston. 

The pomology of the sea-board portion of the State of Maine is so 
affected by oceanic influences that it does not differ very widely from 
that of southern New England. The more northern interior is yet a 
new and comparatively unimproved region, in which fruit culture is 
yet in a comparatively crude state. It is understood, upon the author- 
ity of Dr. Hoskins, that there exists there an extensive tract of lake 
country well adapted to the cultivation of the apple — it being moder- 
ately elevated, with convenient access by river navigation to the sea- 
board. Its pomology, when developed, may be expected to assimilate 
somewhat closely with that of the adjacent inland province of Quebec, 
which does not differ very widely from that of the extreme northern 
portions of western New England. 

(2) The district of the Great Lakes iucludes central and western New 
York, and thence westward to and including the lower peninsula of 
Michigan. 

So varied are the local influences of the Great Lakes westward of 
eastern New York and thence to Wisconsin and Minnesota, modified as 
such influences are by the direction of prevailing winds, that a climatic 
division of this region upon parallels of latitude become impracticable. 

In central and western New York, and equally in the lower peninsula 
of Michigan, these influences are so far equiv^aleut to the oceanic in- 
fluences which modify the climate of southern and eastern New Eng- 
land, that their pomology is practically identical, and may therefore be 
considered as mainly without the scope of the subject under consider- 
ation. 

(3) The Wisconsin lake district includes a comparatively limited re- 
gion in Wisconsin, lying along the western shore of Lake Michigan, 
which derives a very perceptible climatic advantage from such proximity, 
which would doubtless be fully the equivalent of that realized upon the 
eastern shore, but for the fact that the prevailing winds of that region 
are westerly, bringing an increased tendency todrought and to paroxysms 
of cold in winter which reach the region without the mellowing influ- 
ences of the open waters of Lake Michigan ; thus creating a climate in- 
termediate between that of the Upper Mississippi Valley and that of the 
lake region proper. 

(4) The Lake Superior district, including the upper peninsula of 
Michigan, together m ith a strip of northern Wisconsin along the south 
shore of Lake Superior. Although extending northward beyond the 
parallel of 47°, this district is yet so favorably affected in climate by 
the surrounding lakes, that it escapes some of the severity of the cli- 
mate of regions upon that i^arallel farther west. 



21) 

Althougli fruit culture luis so far received buc slight atteutiou there, 
the experience already had indicates, as may have been inferred from 
its lacustrine surroundings and the direction of prevailing winds, espe- 
cially in winter, that the climate becomes less desirable for such pur- 
pose as we proceed westward until we pass beyond the lake influence, 
and come within the typical climate of the western plains. 

C. D. Lawtou, of Lawton, Mich., who has spent much time in the upper 
peninsula of Michigan, states that fair apples are grown there, and 
that there are many fine trees which sometimes bear well. There is 
abundance of plums, when frosts do not catch the bloom in spring. 
They are mostly wild red plums, although the cultivated varieties seem 
equally successful where tried. 

Pears do pretty well also ; at least he has seen trees loaded with ex- 
cellent fruit, which matured nicely. 

He never elsewhere saw Early Eichmond cherry- trees more heavily 
loaded with fruit than there, wherever they have been j^lanted. The 
branches needed to be propped up to prevent breaking under the loads 
of fruit. Currants, gooseberries, raspberries, blackberries, and straw- 
berries abound. 

Although this is a cold country, it has much good soil well adapted 
to root crops, as well as to many of the hardy fruits, which will doubt- 
less be successfully grown as soon as agriculture shall become a staple 
industry. 

At the Chippewa County fair in 1880 a fine display of apples was 
made, grown from trees of hardy varieties obtained from a Minnesota 
nursery. 

In Delta County the last State census reports a ten-acre orchard of 
bearing peach trees. 

Marinette, the half-breed granddaughter of an Indian chief, is said to 
have planted the first apple orchard in Menominee County, which is 
still in bearing. 

C. D. Lawton has seen, at L'Anse, Baraga County, fine apples of Fa- 
meuse, and some of Russian and other hardy varieties, as well as an 
abundance of other hardy fruits. 

Trees from the head of Lake Superior, including Oldenburg, Wealthy, 
Siberian crab, and others were planted in this county in 1862, which 
are yet doing well and producing fair crops of fruit. 

Mr. Lawton also reports hardy apples and other fruits successful in 
Ontonagon County. 

The State census of 1884 reports 91 acres of apple-orcharding in the 
upper peninsula. 

Owing doubtless to the influence of the surrounding waters the or- 
chards of the peninsula are exempt from blight, or at least so nearly 
so that the malady attracts no attention. 

(5) Since westward of the districts heretofore described there are few 
if any local influences which essentially modify the climate, the south- 



30 

ern prairie district will consist of uortbern Illinois, the south two-thirds 
of Iowa, all of Nebraska, and the south half of Wyoming. 

(0) The intermediate i^rairie district will include the south half of 
Wisconsin (westward of the lake district), the north one-third of Iowa, 
the south one-third of Minnesota and Dakota, with the north half of 
Wyoming. 

(7) The northern prairie district includes northern Wisconsin (omit- 
ting the Lake Superior region), the north two-thirds of Minnesota and 
Dakota, and all of Montana. 

BLIGHT AND LACK OF ABILITY TO WITIISTAXO THE HOT DRY AIR OF THE SUMMERS 

OF THE WEST AND NORTH. 

In the earlier days of apple culture in the northern United States 
what is now known as blight seems to have been unknown, or if known, 
to have been confined to the pear. Even at the present day api)le-tree 
blight, where known at all from Michigan eastward, has not proved 
specially troublesome. Only farther west, under greater extremes of 
heat, cold, and aridity, has the malady proved serious and even fatal. 

A singular, and to some at least an unexpected, circumstance is, that 
it becomes even more virulent and fatal as we go northward. Practi- 
cally unknown in Europe, it in many cases proves fatal to varieties in- 
troduced from that country in our interior American climate. 

Apparently akin to the blight so often fatal to the pear, like that in- 
sidious malady, it has so far eluded the discovery- of either the cause or 
cure; although the comparative exemption of the East and the lake 
region of the West, including the cold but moist region of upper Michi- 
gan, together with the observed fact its outward manifestation usually 
occurs during the heat of the day, strongly indicate that both heat and 
aridity may be essential to its effective existence. It may also be 
reasonably inferred that a lack of hardiness in winter may not infre- 
quently be due to the lack of maturity consequent upon loss of foliage 
from blight in summer. 

HARDINESS IN WINTER. 

Just what peculiarities of composition and structure go to constitute 
the quality of wood-growth, known as hardiness, s^ems yet to be an 
unsolved problem. It is nevertheless quite well understood that in 
the case of the apple-tree, now under consideration, it becomes neces- 
sary that the season's growth shall have been thoroughly perfected; 
that the maturing i)rocesses shall have been completed, and that the 
whole be done well in advance of winter; in other words, that a hardy 
tree must be one whose growth is quite sure to be thoroughly ripened 
well within the proper season. 

Aiming to secure results of this character for his State, as well as 
for the North generally, Peter M. Gideon, of Excelsior, Minn., some 
twenty-three years since commenced the process of reproduction and 



31 

selection, using the Siberian crab as the basis of his operations. The 
following is extracted from his report to the Minnesota State Horticult- 
ural Society in January, 1887, as superintendent of the State Experi- 
mental FraitFarm, which, although perhaps over-enthusiastic, yet gives 
a correct idea of the processes employed: 

It is with pleasure that I comply with yonr request to give my views ou Russian 
and seedling apples. The seedling has been my hobby for the last sixteen years, and 
the success attained gives me hope that not far in the future the cold Northwest will 
be one of the leading apple growing districts of North America. 

Twenty-throe years ago I planted a few cherry-crab seeds, obtained of Albert 
Emerson, Bangor, Me., and from those seeds I grew the Wealthy apple ; in seven 
years it fruited, and that fruit convinced me that the true road to success was in 
crossing the Siberian crab with the common apple, and on that line I have operated 
ever since, with results surpassing my most sanguine expectations. I did not suppose 
that in the short space of sixteen years, the time since the Wealthy first fruited, that I 
should have more than twenty first-class apples, as good as the world can produce, 
in succession from the 1st of August to March, and in hardiness of tree surpassing all 
known varieties of the common large apple. But it is done, and in the doing, the prob- 
lem is solved as to what to do and how to do it, with the material at hand with which 
to attain yet greater results. At the outset ic was test and try; but now that the 
problem is solved, it is onward, with great results certain. 

When I say we have twenty first-class apples, that does not include all that are 
worthy of cultivation by any means. And now, with such results and only a few 
thousand trees fruited at the end of sixteen years, what may we not expect atthe end 
of the next sixteen years with '20,000 or 30,000 choice selected trees from the very 
best of 8?ed which are not yet fruited, and the seed of over 100 bushels of choice ap- 
ples jilauted this fall, all to fruit in a few years. Then on planting the seed of the 
best each year, soon the choice varieties will coiint into the hundreds, and the great 
Northwest will be the fruit paradise of America. 

To get the desired cross we plant the selected varieties in close proximity, so that 
the natural flow of pollen will the more surely do the desired fertilizing, and the 
seed thus produced is planted, the most promising of the seedlings selected and 
set in orchards for fruiting, and after fiuitiug the best in tree and fruit is selected 
from Avhich to grow seeds to try again, and so ou ; at each repetition I find there is a 
gain. The young trees that fruited this year for the first gave a larger percentage 
of first-class than any lot ever fruited before. 

By crossing and judicious selection we retain the hardiness of the crab in the tree 
without the crab thorns, and on top grow large apples without the astringency of the 
parent crab. And yet by the commingling of the two natures we get an exquisite 
flavor not found in any other class of apples, especially so when made into sauce. 
But our triumph is not yet completed. We must — we can, fill up the balance of the 
year with a continued succession of luscious apples. There is no question as to the 
certainty of such a result. The past is a guaranty that it can bo done. 

But the proper cross can not be got in Minnesota— a fact clearly demonstrated in 
the extensive and expensive trials that have been made in the last nine years in the 
State orchard. And here let me state that the seedling is inclined to ripen its fruit 
at or near the time the parent apple did from which the seed was taken ; hence the 
need of seed from long keepers to grow the same. There are no long keepers of the 
best quality yet found that are bardy enough to fruit in Minnesota ; but we can take 
our best hardy seedling farther South, where the long keepers can be grown and there 
get the cross, and then bring our so edhere to grow, and test the hardiness of the tree 
andtlie(inality of frnic. We want first-class apples, and to get them we must use first- 
class parentage, and oven then scullions will bo numerous, from the fact that all vari- 
eties of apples are mongrels of mauy degrees of crossixig, and the various relations 



32 

will crop out iu a multitude of forms. But past success is a guaranty for the future, 
that out of the many some will he good. Our seedlings will average in quality with 
Hyslop and Transcendent ; but those of first-class, such as we propagate, stand about 
one to five hundred, as hardy as Duchess and Wealthy, and of the extreme hardiest 
about one to fifteen hundred. 

Seedling trees for distribution.— Two years ago this winter was the first time the 
Duchess and Wealthy were seriously hurt, and a like fate befell all the Russians on 
our grounds, so that not a Russian set an apple on our grounds the next year, whilst 
alongside of them our seedlings carried a fair crop, some of them profuse, and this 
year all bore heavy crops; showing beyond a question that the crab infusion is to 
be the foundation of successful fruit culture in the Northwest. The State orchard 
yielded about 100 bushels of apples this year, all of which being off our own seed- 
lings; all else of value failed two years ago this winter. This fall we planted the 
seed of over 100 bushels of choice apples, to grow for experimental purposes. We 
now have thousands of choice trees on hand for distribution to those who want one, 
two, three, and four year old trees from seed. 

Among the numerous varieties thus origiuated by Mr. Gideon he 
names Lou, August, Florence, Cherry-Red, Excelsior, September, 
Martha, October, Wealthy, Gideon, Peter, and January as especially 
desirable, and as supplying a succession from the 1st of August to 
March. 

Feeling the importance of being able at the earliest possible moment 
to supply an ample assortment of varieties adapted to the climate, not 
only are prominent fruitgrowers watching carefully such local seed- 
lings as come to their knowledge, but horticultural societies also are 
aiding the work by the appointing of committees and iu various other 
ways. 

Such recent varieties appear in the following tabulated list, accom- 
panied in the proper column by a dagger (+) indicating that they have 
been reported worthy of trial iu the district to which such column is 
devoted. 

Aside from the foregoing, the tabulation comprises only the older 
varieties of American origin fouud to be more or less successfid in some 
portion of the region under consideration. In the second district, how- 
ever, where even the more tender varieties prove successful, note is 
only made of varieties which, while successful in other and more trying 
regions, are at the same time popular here, and is marked by an aster- 
isk (*). This sign in every case signifies that the variety so marked is 
reported as successful in the district indicated. 

Throughout the tabulation an interrogation accompanying an aster- 
isk (*?) is intended to indicate that while the variety is more or less 
desirable in the district, either from blight in summer or from deficient 
Uardiness in winter, it is liable to more or less serious objection. 



33 



Varieties. 


Northeastern district : northern ' 
New York and northern New j 
England. 1 


i District of Great Lakes : central and 
western New York, northern Obio, 
and lower Michigan. 


« 

HI 

6 

il 

a o 

§^ 
.-H o 


Lake Supeiior district : upper Mich- 
igan and a portion of uoitbern Wis- i 
cousin. P 


Southern prairio district : u-ortbern ; 
Illinois, southern two-thirds of 
Iowa, Nebraska, southern half of . 
Wyoming. 


Interniediato prairie district: sontb- 
era half Wisconsin (west of lake ' 
distiict), northern third of Iowa, i 
soutbern third of Minnesota and - 
Dakota, uoi tliern half of Wyouoing. 


Northern prairie district : northern 
Wisconsin (omitting Lake Su]>e- 
rior legion), northern two-thirds 
Minnesota and Dakota, all Mon- 
tana. 








... 


(*?) 

(*?) 












(*) 














(t) 
(') 


(t) 














(*) 




(*) 


(') 
(*) 


{') 




(') 
(*) 










Bethel (Vermont) 


(■') 


















V) 
















(*) 
(f) 
(f) 
(t) 
(') 




BrettNo. 1 














Brett No. 2 














Brett No. 3 






































(*) 






(*?) 












Cherrv-Red 










(t) 


(t) 






C) 


n 


(*">■) 


(") 




Dart 




(i) 








(') 


(*) 




(•') 








(1) 








(■■) 






V) 










('■) 






















(■) 


(*) 
(') 


(*) 


EI<Tih 1 
















(*) 
(*) 
(*) 






n 






(*) 
(M 


(*) 
(') 


(*) 
(') 


(?) 
(0 












Flat Apple 








(t) 
















(*) 


(*) 


Fl«ry ... 










(*) 




Gibli 


C) 




C) 


(■■) 










(*) 
(*) 


(*) 






(*) 
(*) 
(■) 
(*) 
(*) 




"(^'o" 


""(*/)'" 




Golden Russett (New York).. 


(*>.) 












V'.) 










.(*) 








(1) 
(t) 
V) 






















(■) 
(*) 
(') 


(') 
"'('')" 


(*) 


(') 
(*) 
(') 




Higbtop Sweet (Sweet June) 
Hyslop 






(*) 


(•) 
(*) 


(*) 


Iowa lliissett 


(*) 




(■) 
(*) 






(*) 

0) 

••■•(*y- 








(*) 


('.') 










(f) 
(f) 




Klein 






V) ' 










('■) 




Lou ' 




(*) 


(*) 






(') 


(*) 




(■) 




Macintosh Red 


(*) 

(*) 














(*) 
(') 


(') 






(*) 


(') 






Maidon'.s Blush Cr;ib 




(*) 








(*) 






{•D 

(') 

(*» 
(') 
('?) 
( -') 








(*) 

(*) 














Minnesota 










C) 


(*) 














Northern Spy , . 
















(*.') 
(') 
(f) 
















(*) 




























(*) 


Orange Winter 












(f) 





15249— Bull 2- 



u 



Varieties. 


1 Northeastern district: northern 
3 New Yoik and northern New 
^ England. 


Districtof Great Lakes: central and | 
western New York, northern Obio, 
and lower Michigan. 


Wisconsin lake district : west shore 
of Lake Michigan. 


1 Lake Superior district : upper Mich- 
igan andaportiouof northern Wis- 
consin. 


Sonthern prairie district: northern 
Illinois, southern two-thirds of 
Iowa, Nebraska, southern half of 
Wyoming. 


Intermediate prairie district : south- 
ern half Wisconsin (west of lake 
distii(^t), northern third of Iowa, 
southern third of Minnesota and 
Dakota, northern half of Wyoming. 


Northern prairie district: northern 
Wisconsin (omitting Lake Supe- 
rior region), norllierii two-thirds 
Minnesota and Dakota, all Mon- 
tana. 


Peach 'Montreal) 












Peerless 










<t) 
CO 








(*) 


(*) 
(*) 
(•) 




(*) 

(*) 

(*) 




Pewaukee 


(*) 
(*) 




Plum's Cider 








{•■") 






Pound Royal 












(*) 


(*) 












C) 














(*) 












(*) 

CO 



























































(0 - 
(*0 














(') 
(*) 


















(*) 




(*?) 






Sa4omo 


(*) 






Sarnia Crab 










(*) 




Saxton ( Fall Stripe) 










(*) 




Scott's Winter 


(*) 








(*) 


(*) 


Seever 








(*) 




September 










(n 


(0 


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(*) 




Soiree 












(t) 




Sops of Wine 




(*) 






(*) 




Shiawassee 


(*?} 










Summer Hagloe 






(*) 






Sweet Russett 








C) 

(*) 
(*) 

(*) 




Talraan Sweet 




(*) 


(*) 




(*) 




Telfcr Sweet Crab 






Transcendent 




(*) 




(*) 




(*) 


Utter'sRed 






CO 
C) 




Virginia Crab 












'*) 


Wabasha 












C) 




Walbridge 


(*) 
(*) 








(*.') 
(*) 




AVealthy 




(*) 


(*) 


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(t) 


(*) 


Wealthy Seedling 






Westfield Seek-no-Further . . . 




(*) 
(*) 


(*) 




('-') 
(*) 
(*) 




Whitney's No. 20 


(*.') 


C) 


(*) 


AVilliams' Favorite 


Willow 








Wiuesap 








Winstead 










(*l) 




Winter St. Lawrence 


(*) 












Wolf River 




(*) 




(*.') 

CO 

(*) 






Yellow Belltlower 










Yellow Ingestrie 





























Au exaininatiou of the foregoing table will develop tlie fact, that even 
the limited success of eastern varieties of the apple, when grown west- 
ward of the Great Lakes, is mainly confined to the southern portion of 
the region under consideration ; and it may be further stated that a 
more critical examination, aside from the table, will determine that even 
this measure of success is to be attributed to the more favorable con- 
ditions occurring in southern Nebraska and in the extreme southern 
part of Iowa. 



35 

Another noticeable circmnstance is, that as we progress northward, 
planters are compelled to rely more and more upon varieties partially 
or wholly of Siberiau-erab parentage, until, in the more northern por- 
tions of Wisconsin and IMinnesota, and doubtless even more so in north- 
ern Dakota and Montana, the successful varieties are almost wholly of 
this species. 

At the annual meeting of the Minnesota State Horticultural Society, 
in January, 18S7, a black-list, consisting of semi-hardy varieties "that 
it may be considered especially dangerous to recommend for planting 
inlarge quantities," was adopted, as follows: Mann, Bethel, Walbridge, 
Fall Queen (Haas), Pewaukee, Alexander, Borsdorf, Xorthern Sp3", 
Salome, Utter's Bed, Fameuse, Wolf Biver. 

At present many are probably looking earnestly to the newly-imported 
Bussian apples to supply the deficiency; hut whatever shall he the meas- 
ure of their suecess, actual trial alone can demonstrate their ahility to meet 
and supply so extreme a icant. 

The Iowa Agricnltural College, from the outset, seems to have made 
an earnest eftbrt for the development of the horticulture, andespecially 
the pomology of the State. An early step in this direction was the 
planting of an extensive orchard, comprising the varieties at the time 
considered hardy in the State. The increased severity of subsequent 
winters began to tell upon it, and when it began to show serious signs 
of failure, another i)lantation was made of iron-clads, to be t()[)grafted 
with such varieties as were reputed to be specially hardy. Among these 
were a considerable number of local seedlings, which had acquired 
special reputation for hardiness. These were interspersed with some 
selected Bussian varieties, thus aiibrding a comparative trial of the two. 
In the summer and fall of 1887 many of these last were bearing fine 
crops, while, as stated by Professor Budd, the recent exceptional winters 
had almost wholly swept away the supi»osed hardy natives interspersed 
among them, while the remains of the older orchard were being dug 
out and burned. 

Doubtless, under the influence of discouragements akin to those al- 
ready described, Mr. A. G. Tattle, of Baraboo, Wis., imported scions of 
Bussian apples probably as early as 18GG or 1807, which he proceeded 
to propagate, test, and disseminate. To these he subsequently added 
varieties from other and later importations, so that he now has a very 
considerable orchard exclusively of Bussian varieties in full bearing. 

A visit to this orchard in August last found several of the earliest 
varieties already jiast season, while others were ripe or rapidly ap- 
proaching maturity, aftbrding apparent ground for the claim that, owing 
to change of latitude, or other cause, there is among tliem a defi- 
ciency of long keepers. However this may be, the trees which had 
withstood the trials of the recent severe winters were almost univer 
sally sound and healthy, excepting that a very considerable number of 
them gave evidence of the eifect of blight upon the younger branches 
during the past summer. 



36 

^riie tieaitiiy condition oi this orcliard (and the same is trne of* at least 
another in the vicinity ) was in strong contrast with that of other trees 
upon the same premises, except of such of our native varieties as have 
usually been considered very hard}", such as Famense, Willow, Ben 
Davis, Grimes's Golden, and others, many of which showed serious, if 
not even fatal, injury, doubtless the effect of the trying' winters already 
referred to. 

The U. S. Department of Agriculture also, in 1870, made an importa- 
tion of scions from Russia, of which a list of numbered varieties is pub- 
lished, and the scions widely distributed for trial. The Russian names 
were so difficult of i^ronuuciation, that even yet tbey are very com- 
monly referred to by numbers. 

An early test of a very considerable number of these, iucludiug per- 
haps some of their own importations, was made by I'llwanger & Barry, 
of Rochester, N. Y., by the planting and fruiting them in their trial 
grounds. 

An examination of these in frnit, in company with AV. G. Barr^*, 
early in September, 1883, showed nearly all these even then, fully ripe 
or already overripe 5 and the quality, without exception, i>roved to be 
so low, that the general conviction was that their chief value must be 
suj)posed to consist in their ability to transmit their probable hardi- 
ness to a progeny of new originations of higher quality. 

In 1878 or 1879 the authorities of the Iowa State Agricultural Col- 
lege deputed Prof. J. L. Budd to arrange for the importation of trees, 
l^lants, and scoius from localities in central and eastern Europe in 
which, from similarity of soil, climate, etc., he might hope to obtain 
varieties adapted to the conditions occurring in Iowa and other por- 
tions of the Xorthwest. 

In pursuance of this purpose, the professor, in company with Mr. 
Charles Gibb, of Abbotsford, Quebec, made a lengthened visit to cen- 
tral and eastern Europe, extending their trip as far as the vallc}^ of 
the Upper Volga, where, in most essential x>articulars, the climate is 
nearly akin to that of the valleys of the Upper Mississippi and Mis- 
souri. As the result of such visit and examinations, besides other 
fruits, shrubberj', forest, and ornamental trees, no less than nineteen 
importations of apples were made between May, 1870, and January, 
1885, from various localities in Russia, Poland, Germany, and Austria. 

These, together with those secured from the importations of others, 
have been extensively propagated at the college, and the product 
widely disseminated at a nominal charge for trial throughout the 
Northwest, so far as their success seemed probable, but under an ar- 
rangement providing for careful reports of results. 

Complaint is made by President C. G. Patten, of the Iowa State Hor- 
ticultural Society, and by others as well, that some of the Russian ap- 
ples are slow growers — a peculiarity which may with some of them 
prove to be constitutional, having, as they had, their origin at the ex- 
treme north, where, doubtless owing to the shortness of the growing 



37 

seasoD, togetlier with the uuusually arid climate, the tree under contin- 
ued propagation from seed assumed a permanently dwarfish condition, 
not likely to become changed by the transmission of the variety to a dif- 
ferent cliniate — a fact likely to prove equally true so far as hardiness also 
is concerned J although it must bo conceded that in this particular 
there may be at least apparent exceptions, since at Des Moines, on 
the grounds of Hon. C. L. Watrous, were found a considerable number 
of what are considered to bo among the hardiest and most desirable 
of the Russian apples 5 trees of which, four or five years planted, when 
cut through, were found to be more or less black-hearted, and many of 
(hem quite past the possibility of successful growth and permanent 
usefulness. Similar cases of obvious winter-killing in the case of older 
bearing trees of Ivussian apples were also seen upon the grounds of A. 
W. Sias, of Eochester, Minn., as well as in another extensive orchard in 
that vicinity, and also upon the grounds of President Patten. 

A change of latitude, accompanied, as it must necessarily be, b}^ a 
change of climate, and especially in going southward, by lengthen- 
ing of the growing season, must necessarily change the season of ripen- 
ing, at least in the case of a winter fruit. This is a well known result 
of such migration of our native fruits, which must j^rove equally true 
of these importations, although the extent of such variation can only be 
surmised in advance of actual trial. 

There is also in America, and doubtless likewise in Europe, an un- 
mistakable modification of the character of fruits, doubtless due to mod- 
ified climate, when transferred inland, even without change of latitude ; 
but just how much of such change may be due to greater aridity, higher 
or lower average temperature, more violent extremes, deficient moist- 
ure in the soil, or to variations of soils, is a problem too comi^lex for 
satisfactory solution under these varying circumstances; while a change 
in the season of maturity and possibly the variation of the quality of 
fruit may be anticipated, and the })robable direction of such variation 
foreseen, its amount, whether in season or quality, can only be deter- 
mined by actual trial. 

While, therefore, there are in many minds grave doubts as to the 
soundness of the opinions put forth by Professor Budd and others re- 
s[»ectiug the sufficieney of the llussiau a[»ples to meet and sup[)ly the 
present lack, such doubts seem mainly to turn u[)on the question 
whether, uitder fio extended a transplaciiuj, tlieij arc likclij to sufficiently 
retain their ori<jiiuil lon<jl:eepim) qualities. In this conuection it is 
perhaps duo to the professor to state that, while he does not deny the 
objectionable modification of the earlier importations of Eussian apples 
as to the season of ripening, he urges that these were west Eussian or 
sea-board varieties ; and that the varieties from the interior, where the 
climate is more nearly that of the prairie regions, have been but re- 
cently imported, and that they yet lack time to show results. He in- 
sists that iimong these there is good reason to anticipate a sufficient sup- 
ply of long keepers. 



38 

Siuce these experimeuts are being couducted at the South (latitude 
42°), the object of pre-maturity may be expected to become less and 
less as we go northward, where the chief question becomes that of suffi- 
cient hardiness. 

The blight of the apple-tree, if not wholly unknown in New England 
and Kew York, is at least so little known as scarcely to excite remark; 
while in Michigan it rarely attacks a tree below the growth of the cur- 
rent year, and not even that to such extent as to effect serious injury. 
As we go westward the malady becomes increasingly troublesome be- 
yond Lake Michigan, increasing in virulence westward, and especially 
northward. At 20 miles from the lake, in Wisconsin, it occasions more 
or less injury ; while at Baraboo, midway across the State, it becomes 
increasingly troublesome, occasional trees being nearly or quite ruined 
by it. In northern Iowa and southern Minnesota it is quite as preva- 
lent and injurious. Still farther north, at Excelsior, Peter M. Gideon 
finds it very troublesome upon crab seedlings, while his orchard of 
Eussiau apples has been utterly ruined by it. 

From all the circumstances, it seems highly probable that there may 
at least be a climatic predisposing cause. If so, there would i^robably 
be between the apparently similar climates of central North America 
and eastern Europe some occult difference which has so for eluded ob- 
servation, since this malady, so prevalent and destructive in the former, 
is said to be practically unknown in the latter. 

The number of varieties included in these several importations of ap- 
ples can not be less 350. If, among these, a dozen, or even a half dozen, 
satisfactory long keepers shall occur, in addition to the earlier ones al- 
ready tested, the undertaking Avill doubtless be felt to be amply justi- 
fied, to say nothing of the means acquired for the origination of a bet- 
ter, because hardier, race of fruit in the future. 

In tabulating the following varieties of apples of Eussian or east Eu- 
ropean origin, the names as reported by Charles Gibb, of Abbotsford, 
Quebec, to the American Pomological Society, are arranged alphabeti- 
cally, and their success, so far as known, noted by districts, as in the 
table of native varieties. 

The European name is appended in each case, to facilitate reference 
and insure identity. 

In the report of Mr. Gibb there seems to have been cases of uncer- 
tainty, which he indicates by an interrogation (?). These are intro- 
duced into the following tables along with the names. 

In the alphabetical arrangement of the adopted American names, in 
some cases the same name appears apparently applied to more than one 
fruit; also in one or more cases the name adopted had been i^reviously 
applied to an American fruit. In such cases attention is also called to 
the fact b}' an interrogation (?). 

Although not included in Mr. Gibb's report, Alexander, Oldenburg, 
and Tetofski, being Eussian apples, are introduced into the following 
list: 



39 



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48 

ttt addition to these very mauy are referred to by numbers, but in 
such manner that it is difficult, if uot impossible iu most cases, to deter- 
mine to which list they properly belong. Numbers au.d duplicates are 
excluded from this tabulation, and the names arranged al[)habeticaliy, 
with the hope to hasten the disuse of numbers, and in so doing es- 
cape a fruitful and vexatious source of error. 

It is quite generally conceded that these Russian importations have 
yielded several early varieties of apples fully equal, if not in some re- 
spects superior, to any of our older native varieties of similar season, 
and that these are hence likely to prove valuable even in regions in 
which their superior hardiness is not specially important. 

The most serious complaint respecting these importations as a whole 
IS found iu the fact that in the latitude of southern central Iowa, to 
which they come mainly from a region lying from 8° to 12° farther north, 
the transfer to a more southern and longer summer so hastens the ma- 
turity of their fruit, that the most of them become late summer and 
autumn fruits, failing partially, if not wholly, of a winter supply, which 
would be more specially desirable. 

Although the full import of such change can only be determined upon 
the general distribution and fruiting of these introductions, which must 
yet require several years, this claim (which receives more or less confir- 
mation from the fruiting of some of the earlier introductions) finds 
much support from the behavior of our native varieties, when thus 
transferred, even for short distances, within our own country. 

It is urged, on the other hand, that while southern Iowa and ]!^e- 
braska can depend with more or less certainty upon their ability to 
produce a supply of this fruit from some of the hardiest of our Ameri ■ 
cau varieties, farther north these utterly fail, and that iu such locali- 
ties, even including whole States and Territories, the question, practi- 
cally is, appUs or no apples, while with their shorter seasons the objec- 
tion of lire-maturity partially or wholly disappears. 

It is also very forcibly urged that the objections are being made upon 
results from the earlier importations, which mainly came from near the 
sea-coast, where the climate differs widely from that of the steppes, 
whence the later and mainly untested importations have come ; also 
that the alleged pre-ma.turity can not be properly estimated by degrees 
of latitude, but rather by isotherms; and that from this stand-point, if 
we trace the lines of equal summer temperature (as a guide to deter- 
mine the relative seasons of ripening), the season of central Iowa will 
be found to correspond with that of the region in southeastern Russia, 
10° or 20° farther north, whence the mass of these later importations 
came. 

In urging this consideration, Professor Budd insists that "so far as 
the winter apples of south central Russia have yet fruited in Iowa, they 
prove as good keepers as in their native home. In like manner, our 
samples of fruits and our reports from our many trial stations north 



49 

show tliat tbo apples from provinces in liussia farther north than 
Saratov mature almost exactly in accordance with the lines of summer 
heat traced by Professor Dove across the two continents." 

Should the conclusion be accepted that the season of maturity is de- 
pendent rather upon thermal lines than upon parallels of latitude, it 
appears equally probable tliat variations of flavor or quality are simi- 
larly affected. Although tliis may lack the autiiority of a determinate 
conclusion, it may be supposed to warrant the inference that the recog- 
nized deficiency of quality in the sea-coast varieties first imported was 
the result of causes not to be predicated of those more recently intro- 
<luced, which may, iu sucli case, be exi)ected to more nearly retain 
tlieir iiristine cliaracteristics. For these reasons, if for no others, it 
would seem wise to give to these the benefit of a full and fair trial be- 
fore sitting iu judgment upon them. 

Besides the recommendations of particular varieties already tabu- 
lated, there are numerous notices, both favorable and unfavorable, which 
more or less fully indicate in what lights these, as a class, are viewed 
by those interested in such matters. In quotiug a few of these the 
localities in which they occur will be indicated. 

Dr. T. n. Hoskins, of northern Vermont, in Rural New-Yorker, says: 

I Lavo fully 100 varieties of Riissiau apples growing in my grounds, many of the 
trees being sixteen and eighteen years planted, while some of tlio later importations 
are small. One thing is fully demonstrated, viz, that these apples are, as a class, 
very much hardier against adverse climatic inlluences, and especially against winter's 
cold, than those previously grown on this continent. This alone gives them enor- 
mous value for the " cold North" where, without them, tree fruit culture would be 
impossible. In productiveness, size, and beauty of fruit the Eussian apples are, on 
the average, more than a match for those of western Europe and for our native seed- 
lings thence derived. Those who have an extensive acquaintance with Russian 
apples know that there is among them quite as large a proportion which deserve to 
rank as of dessert quality as there is among the common sorts. 

An article from the same pen, published in the American Garden, in 
September last, indicates a possible change in the writer's conclusions 
upon the subject. He says : 

The entire "cold North " is awaiting with anxiety the coming iron-clad long-keep- 
ing apples, Tvhich it so greatly needs, yet can hardly produce, iixperience is show- 
ing that the Russian long-keeping apples grown between latitudes 55*^ and 65° are 
not long keepers iu latitudes 40^^^ to 50^, W'hich is the American territory where the 
irou-clads must be grown. 

George P. Peffer, of the Lake region of eastern Wisconsin, says : 

Nearly all the Russian apples I have fruited ripen in summer or early autumn, and 
retain their flavor but a short time, Antonovka gives the best satisfaction of any 
yet fruited. There are some -winter [reputed — Writer] apples among those not yet 
fruited. 

He says again : 

Tlie public will find that there is as much risk in planting Russian varieties as any 
others. I hold that fruit trees, to give satifaction, should be grown from seed raised 
near the locality where wanted. 

15249— Bull 2 4: 



50 

George J. Kellogg, reportiug as delegate from Wiscousin to the Illi- 
nois Horticultural Society, remarks : The apple question in Illinois is 
but little nearer solved than in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Half the 
orchards in northern Illinois are on the wood-pile and the other half 
are leaning strongly that way. 

A. G. Tuttle, of central Wisconsin, says : 

We have becu a good nuxtiy years trying to learn what is in the Russian apples, 
and have tested 150 varieties, which certainly compare with the varieties usually 
grown in Wisconsin. Some are equal in quality to the Northern Spy and Grimes' 
Golden. We have scarcely two varieties that are uot better than Olienburg. 

He adds : 

So far as the south half of Iowa is concerned, ray impression is that they do not 
need Russian apples. I am speaking more particularly about the cold northern 
climate. 

On another occasion he remarks : 

I have 80 varieties of Russian apples in orchard. AH seora hardy but one. 

Again says Mr. Tuttls: 

The true crabs are tender. They start too early ; wake up too soon. 

At the Minnesota State Fair, in 188G, Mr. A. G. Tuttle, of Wiscou- 
sin, exhibited 75 varieties of Russian apples, probably the most exten- 
sive display of this class of apples ever made by a single grower in the 
United States. 

Of these the examining committee speaks as follows : 

The best keepers shown here were Repka, Arabskoe, Mensk, Vargul, Antonovka, 
and Blue An is. 

In quality they rank as follows : 

Vargul, Antonovka, Repka, Blue' Auis, Mensk, Arabskoe. The samples were too 
immature to judge of flavor, but Vargul and Autouovka, which resemble each other, 
are much finer in texture and evidently much better than Oldenburg. [Not very 
high praise. — WurrEU.] 

In size, Mensk, Arabskoe, Vargul, and Autouovka are said to be 
large apples. Blue Auis is medium, and Repka is small. 

Arabskoe has blighted in twigs; but otherwise the above are said to 
be thus far free from blight, and all are as hardy as Oldenburg. 

Among the early winter sorts, the committee was most pleased with 
Golden White. The season of Hibernal, Zussofif's Winter and Red 
Queen (December); Long Arcad (November and December). In qual- 
ity this test ranks. Golden White, Long Arcad, Zussoff's Winter, Red 
Queen, Hibernal. 

In makhig a report a member of the committee remarks : 

In conversation Mr. Tuttle admitted that blight is the greatest enemy of the Rus- 
sian varieties. We could not tell from the looks of the fruit how much the trees 
blighted ; but from my own experience, I find that those varieties that do not kill by 
blight do not bear very much. 

At the annual meeting of the Minnesota Horticultural Society in 
January, 1887, Mr. Tuttle exhibited four sections of the wood of crabs, 



51 

nine sections of hardy native apples, and twenty- five sections cut from 
Kussian apple-trees. The sections were said to have been cut from 
trees which had been planted ten years, and to be fair samples ot each, 
variety; and were reported by the examining committee as ftivinsf evi- 
dence that twelve of the Eussian varieties were hardier than Oldenbiirg, 
or any of the American varieties. 
On another occasion Mr. Tattle says : 

At least twenty-six varieties of Russians will compare favorably with Oldeiibni-n; 
for hardiness, and are as good in quality as an equal number of Ame.ican varieties. 

Menominee is situated at the north of Menominee Kiver, on Green 
Bay, just upon the boundary between Wisconsin and tlie upper pen- 
insula of. Michigan, partaking largely of the climatic peculiarities of the 
latter. Mr. S. Euuning reports from there : 

The thermometer last winter (I8Sf;-'87) sank to— 40 " and below, and remained there 
for about a week ; but that is less than has been usual for the past three years. I 
havejust come iu from examining the trees, andfiud the following, which I have growing 
in the nursery row, to be entirely hardy: Lon, Florence, October, Martha (received 
from P. M. Gideon, of Minnesota), Whitney, Hibernal, Ostrokoff's Glass, also Hyslop, 
Transcendent and Marengo crabs. Then follow Oldenburg, Tetof^-ki, Yellow Anis, 
Charlamoff, and Little Pipka, with the terminal bud and an inch of wood slightly dis- 
colored. Then come Thaler, Yellow Transparent, Prolific Sweet, McMahon's White, 
Scott's Winter, and Iowa Russett, with a trifle more discoloration. Then come Iowa 
Blush, Wealthy, Alexander, Longfield, and Switzer, with still more discoloration. 
Lastly, I think Borsdorf, Wolf River, Walbridge, Plumb's Cider, St. Lawrence, and 
Fall Orange are too tender for this locality. 

I also have Clapp's Favorite, Flemish Beauty, and Koiffer pears growing in nur- 
sery rows, all of which are killed to last winter's snow-line. 

J. C. Plurnb, of Wisconsin, in the Prairie Farmer, says: 

Where the once despised Oldenburg and little Siberians were thought too inferior 
for general planting, they now make all — and often a good all — of the homo supply 
of apple fruit. Where this is the rule, the new Russians arc a Godsend. They have 
come to stay, and will no donbt immensely extend the area of successful apple-grow- 
ing iu the Northwest. We have been growing them about tvv'^elve years, and yearly 
examining and testing new varieties as they have come into fruiting; and, as is 
known here, have been very cautious in our commendatiou of them, for they have 
serious faults as Avell as great virtues. I have yet to see a good long-keeping apple 
among them. The "very hardy" are all too coarse fleshed to be good winter fruit; 
nor do I expect to find any Seek-no-Furthers, Grimes' Golden or Wiuesaps among them 
for reasons physiological, which I have not room here to discuss. 

In the same issue Mr. Tuttle quotes Hon. C. L. Watrous, of Des 
Moines, Iowa, as saying : 

Of the 300 varieties of apples on trial a few have fruited; and, with a single ex- 
ception, the fruit has been of the very lowest quality — thin, sour, and poor; with, 
too often, a twist of bitterness simply atrocious. 

In replying to this Mr. Tuttle remarks : 

That all of the 100 varieties fruited are of the very best quality no one would claim ; 
but that they are, as a collection, equal iu quality to our American apples there is 
not a shadow of doubt. * * * The percentage of loss in my Russians, including 
over 100 varieties, is not one-tenth of that in my orchard of Olden burgs of 300 trees. 



52 

In southern Iowa, whence the doubts respecting the vahie of the 
Kussian importations seem mainly to arise, Hon. C. L. Watrous says: 

I do not tliink it is the general belief of the men of this (Iowa Horticultural) so- 
ciety that the Russians are going to produce a winter apple that will be hardy here 
in Iowa, and I thiuk we should be very careful of our utterances ou the subject. 

R, D. McGeehon, of southwestern Iowa, remarks : 

I am at a loss to say what apples I should plant. If Professor Budd has not got 
them among his Russians, I do not know where to look for them. 

Professor Budd states : 

We have 600 experimental stations throughout the Northwest ; and we have gone 
through tests, and arrived at conclusions ou this subject such as wo could not have 
reached in a quarter of a century by ordinary means. From these importations from 
Russia we expect to get quite a number of varieties as good in quality as Grimes' 
Golden. 

The work at the college consists chiefly in testing new varieties from 
Europe and elsewhere. Cuttings and seeds from these are sent out to 
the stations under an agreement not to propagate, sell, or give away 
any stock received for trial. 

In the Rural New Yorker of October 1, 1887, Professor Budd says in 
substance : 

We find the Longfield apple to be a native of Sarepta, on the Lower Volga, where 
the rain-fall is light and the summer heat often reaches 106° in the shade, with only 20 
■per cent, of moisture in the air. 

Literally without rain to wet the roots of plants, the Longfield, and its near rela- 
tive the Good Peasant, have matured a full crop of fruit of nearly average size. Even 
as far north as Baraboo, Wis., the Longfield has stood quite as well as the Wealthy, 
although this has not missed a crop of fruit on Mr. Tuttle's place for the last six 
years. The Longfield is not a true iron-clad for the North ; but, if not cut too severely 
for scions, it has stood fully as well as the Wealthy on dry soils. 

So far in central Iowa the Bogdanoff has shown no defect, save an occasional show 
of twio- blight on l)lack soil and in sheltered positions. Grandmother (469 Department 
list) failed with us in 1884 and 1885, and we have dropped it from our trial list ; but the 
Grandmother, received by us from Moscow and Varouesh, appears to be as hardy as 
Oldenburg, and promises to be a true iron-clad for northern Iowa. I think the true 
Grandmother will prove hardy in any part of Vermont, yet it may not be as perfectly 
at home there as in Iowa. 

Red Astrachan is a Swedish apple, a supposed seedling of Red Transparent. The 
latter is hardier than Oldenburg, but Red Astrachan is very little hardier than Fameuse. 
The Department Borsdorfs lack hardiness, but Zweibol Borsdorf of central Russia is 
a true iron-clad. Alexander is hardy at Ames, but especially subject to blight and a 
shy bearer. On the other hand, the Aports of central Russia are perfect in tree, good 
bearers, and some of them fairly good keepers. 

In the report of the Iowa society for 1886 appears the following : 

On ordinary prairie soils, over an extent of the West equal to half a dozen of the 
small kingdoms of Europe, the home and commercial orchards are killed or hope- 
lessly crippled to an extent not heretofore known in the history of this country or 
any other. Timber soils have not sustained their reputation as favorable orchard- 
sites in Iowa, Indiana, Wisconsin, or Illinois. Even so farsouth and east as La Fay- 
ette, Ind., the fine young orchard on the grounds of Purdue University has been 
grubbed, without the reservation of a single tree, although It stood on hard maple 
land, which had hitherto been thought favorable for the apple and the cherry. 



53 

It is further stated that tUe iujiiry of so-called hardy varieties was 
not ill the top; tiiat trees top-worked on hardy stocks were compara- 
tively sound, even though the same varieties root-grafted failed to show 
a perfect leaf. It is also stated that tbe most successful apple-trees at 
the West generally, on various soils, have been of Eussian or Siberian 
stock. 

In 1887 E. li. Porter, of Delaware County, Iowa, reports : 

That the old orchards aro dead is a fact that atares us in the lace from Indiana to 
Nebraska and soutli to central Illinois and northern Missouri. Some imagine that 
\vc in northern Iowa are peculiarly unfortunate in this regard, hut there has uot been 
a crop of apples raised in central Illinois in live years. 

The report says further, in ellect: 

Through the progress of centuries the apple has become acclimatizeil throughout 
Europe. The great central plain of Russia is very similar to our great central plain. 
There the summers are hot enough to perfect Indian corn ; the rain-fall is uot greater 
than ours. There the mercury siuks lower than here in winter, and reaches, at least 
as high in summer. There, as here, the winds sweep down from the Arctic Ocean 
with no interveuiug mountains. These facts are held to justify the expectation that 
out of the importations from those regions will come a supply of varieties adapted to 
meet the requirements of our climate ; and among these are mentioned Yellow Trans- 
parent. Tetofski, Thaler, Longfiekl, Antonovka, and others. 

J. B. Mitchell, living near the north liueof Iowa, who has had thirteen 
years' experience and has a hundred varieties of Eussian apples, in re- 
plying to Mr. Watrous in Ihe Prairie Farmer says: 

With Mr. W.'s experience, in a more favorable locality for the growing of the old 
varieties of applies (1:50 miles south of me), there may be some reason for his conclusion 
of their relative hardiness and healthfulness as compared with the Russian apples. 
Thelatter aro more dwarf and slower growers generally than the former, and where the 
climate will admits of growing the old or American varieties they doubtless make a 
better appearance in nursery. 13 nt here at the north liue of the State the old varie- 
ties are not to be compared with the Russian in hardiness, healthfulness, and fruit- 
fulness. Mauy of the latter have come through the winters nearly perfect, while of 
thousands of trees of the American varieties planted in this vicinity all have disap- 
peared. It is not claimed by Professor Budd, or any one I believe, that all of the 
Russians are hardy enough for the North, or that all will endure the heat farther South ; 
but there are very few of those tried here which have not stood better than any of 
the American sorts. Many of them are indispensable to the Northwest ; and it is a 
stubborn fact that they have come to stay, even if the fruit is not all of the tirst 
([uality. Of those I have fruited, with two exceptions, I have noticed none of the 
bitterness spoken of, and then only a slight trace, while some are of very fine quality, 
and I think they will average well with the old kinds. Nearly all said against the 
Russians has come from localities farther south, where the old varieties have done 
very well, and where extreme hardiness is not so essential. 

H. Friedly, Mineral Eidge, Iowa, has been growing apples a number 
of years, and has the finest and largest bearing orchard in Boone County ; 
but the recent cold winters killed all except a few Eussians. He then 
procured from the college eighteen varieties of Eussian apples, which 
he planted in 1884. Six of these have now produced fruit, which is of 
fine appearance, and compares well with our common varieties. Eoot- 
grafts of fifty additional varieties, more recently jjlanted in nursery, 
have all jiroven hardier than our common varieties beside them. 



54 

W. C. Ilavilaiid, of Fort Dodge, Iowa, iu Prairie Fanmar, says : 

Tlio (liiys of Giiuios' Golden iiuti Jouatban are past; and of tbe tried sorts we only 
liave Wealthy and Whitney left. Already tbe balf-hardy sorts, like Fall Queen (Haas) 
siixl Faniense, have given place to Russians, such as Yellow Transparent and Loug- 
tield, which prove '20 per cent, hardier. He mentions a few others iu the order 
*)f their relative hardiness, so far as known, viz: Antonovka, Cross, Hibernal, 
Arabskoe, Borovinka, Arabka, Charlanioff, Switzer, Yellow Anis, Red Anis, Silken, 
Tbaler, Longfield.and Little Pipka. 

Edward Reeves, Waverly, Iowa, takes the following couservative and 
doubtless correct view of tlie matter iu Prairie Farmer, page Gl^ : 

I think it high time to warn jjlauters against tbe present craze for Russian trees, 
or trees from any other place which have not been fully tried in our climate and 
proven of value. At tbe meeting of tbe Iowa Horticultural Society at Charles City, 
last winter, Mr. Watrous asked Mr. A. G. Tuttle to name the varieties of Russian 
ap-^les which bad proven of value in Iowa; but he failed to name a single one. 
* * " I have over forty varieties of Russian apples on my grounds, a number of 
which have so far stood better than Oldenburg ; but I am not prepared to recommend 
tliem to my customers, except for trial. I believe that some of these will prove valu- 
able for general planting and for crossing. 

In Prairie Farmer, page 034, JolmC. Ferris, bbcretary Northern Iowa 
Horticultnral Society, says : 

My experience with Russian apples is very much at variance with that of Captain 
Watrous. It is well known that the list of apples I'ecommended for northern Iowa, 
by tbe Northern Iowa Horticultural Society, includes but four varieties from the old 
list, viz: Oldenburg, Tetofski, Whitney, and Wealthy. If tbe last two are hybrids, 
as claimed by their originators, then, the other two being Russians, there is not au 
apple of American origii] and parentage on our list. We saw no reason why the two 
Russians first introduced should necessarily be the best ; and hence were glad when 
many varieties were imported from Russia. These bad a perfectly reliable record 
as to character of fruit, which placed many of them far ahead of either Oldenburg 
or Tetofski. We began experimenting with these, and their hardiness is now an es- 
tablished fact among noi'thcrn Iowa nurserymen, who have tested them from four to 
twelve years. 

He goes on to remark that, although we could doubtless iu the 
course of time origiuate a race of hardy apples adapted to this region, 
the climate of Eussia has performed this work for us, and if we no not 
avai> ourselves of it we will, indeed, be foolish. After a reference to 
the value of the Kussiau varieties as the possible basis for further im- 
provement he adds: 

The i)roblem for us to solve, after tbe rejection of the tenderest Russians and those 
most subject to blight, is, W'hicb are tbe best bearers, tbe best keepei's, aiul of the best 
<inality. 

E. DeHill,i)residentof the Dakota Horticultural Society, assured him 
that he had eaten Eussiau apples as good as the Ehode Island Greening. 
Hon. E. P. Speer, in Iowa Horticultural Eeport for 1887, says: 

In central Minnesota there is usually an abrupt jump from beautiful fall weather 
to winter; and tbe springs also are less changeable than in Iowa. There the crabs 
and their crosses upon the common apple may be of some value, but iu Iowa they 
are worthless. 



55 

On another occasion be says : 

lu 1874 I procured two each of seventy-six varieties of Russians, and planted them 
alongside of our hardiest kinds. Some of them have been hurt at the tips, and 
some are slow growers, but twenty-six of them I consider i^erfect in tree. 

He thinks his trees of the Arabka family will stand at Lake Superior. 

In Prairie Farmer, page 050, he states that he planted thirteen of the 
very promising varieties in orchard, and only two of these have jiroved 
less hardy than Oldenburg. Two of the hardy varieties have suffered 
from blight, viz : Basil-the-Great (Vassilist's Largest; and a variety of 
the Arabka family. Four of the other nine have proved fruitful and 
very valuable. 

I have now more of one, two, and three-year old Russian apple-trees than any other 
American. I have examined them carefully, after our coldest winter's and severest 
droughts, and am very sure that mauy of them are more valuable iu every respect 
for Iowa than the Oldenburg. 

J. B. Mitchell reports to the Northern Iowa Horticultural Society — 

That the once so-called iron-clad list has proved a failure ; that none except the 
Oldenburg have been able to endure the test winters of our climate ; and from tbe 
fact that many of the Russians have been grown at the most northern limit of our 
State for ten or twelve years past, and have stood uninjured, or nearly so, in nursery 
and orchard, it seems thait we have much to hope from the Russian apple. 

At the same meeting A. L. Hatch remarks : 

A good deal of discouragement prevails with regard to standard apples, and what 
little faith we have left, is in Patton's seedlings and Budd's Russians ; and the Lord 
grant that our faith maj'^ prove well founded. 

Hybrid crabs are doing well, except the usual amount of blight. 

W. H. Guilford, superintendent of Experiment Station, reporting to 
the Dubuque County Horticultural Society, says : 

We purchased thirty-seven trees from the horticultural department at Ames, Pro- 
fessor Budd making the selections for us, and from all tbat we can learn every tree is 
of decided merit. The collection is composed of plums, cherries, pears, and apples. 

Blessings sometimes come to us in disguise ; and it now seems as though the four 
unprecedeutedly hard winters had been such. Nearly all the tender, trashj^ rubbish 
with which the country has been littered is either dead or dying, and we have learned 
a -wholesome lesson for our future guidance. 

In a report for Grundy County, O. A. Bardahl says : 

The county of Grundy is new, compared with other counties in our district, con- 
sequently fewer trees have been x^lanted ; but I have no doubt tbat thousands of dol- 
lars have been sent out of our county for fruit trees within the last fifteen years, 
without a single tree to-day giving promise of another apple, except a few Olden- 
burgs. 

The Russians from the college are terribly slow growers, but thej^ afford us our only 
apparent promise. 

Since the fact has come to be recognized that the fruits of the Eastern 
States are not successful in the prairie regions, there has been a con- 
stant effort to devise or discover some effective means for the origina- 
tion of a local pomology for the supply of the urgent need. Besides 
the efforts of the national Agricultural Department, which, with Mr. 
Tuttle and Professor Budd, has undertaken to import a jiomology for 



56 

tlie purpose, and the persistent efforts of P. M. Gideon to elaborate the 
desired result from the crab. Mr. C. G. Patten, of Charles City, the 
president of the Iowa Horticultural Society, has been an active laborer 
in this field. While he has done much in the planting and fruiting of 
the introductions from Russia, he has been but illy satisfied with the 
results. 

A visit to his establishment not only shows sad losses among the old 
varieties, but also that many of the supposed hardy Russians are se- 
riously defective in hardiness, at least for this locality. The Oldenburg 
here, as in most other trying localities, is winning a reputation for 
superior hardiness; but Mr. Patten, not content to stop here, is actively 
engaged in the work of improvement by the process of cross-fertiliza- 
tion with some already encouraging results. 

Prof. E. D. Porter, who is in charge of the University Farm, at the 
summer meeting of the Minnesota State Horticultural Society, held at 
that establishment, invited attention to the horticultural improvements, 
and among other things to the orchard and nursery. There was an 
orchard of Russian apples, one year planted. The trees had been ob- 
tained from Mr. Gibb, of Canada, and Professor Budd, of Iowa. He 
added : 

Wo have duplicatea of these growiug from root-grafts in the nursery. The idea is 
that if there is found to bo anything vahiablo when they come into fruiting we can 
duplicate tlii'ui by the hundreds in the nursery. These varieties of apples will be 
grown for distribution among the farmers aud horticulturists of the State. 

O. F. Brand, Minnesota : 

I had sixty five varieties of the first that were sent out by the Departmeu t, which I prop- 
agated, and I got most of them large enough to bear. Where the Wealthy bore, from 
trees planted the same year, a bushel and a half to the tree in 1881 and 18S2, there is 
not a tree of the Russian varieties that has borue half a bushel. There are several 
varieties of trees that remained, which were root-grafts in 1874, and some of them 
were grafted two or three years previous to that. Of those that remain there are only 
two varieties that are good for auythiug, and they bear very little. So I class the 
Russians like this : Most of them blight ; and of those that remain, which bear, three- 
fourths are good for nothing, and the remainder do not bear enough to be good for 
any purpose, except to make up a collection for a fair. 

My experience is that young trees stand very well ; and after beginning to bear, at 
the age of eight to twelve years, are killed out, and the Russians likewise. They may 
do well for a while, but after they begin to bear and the vitality is reduced, they are 
unable to stand the winters. ' 

I have eight or ten Oldenbuigs that have been planted twenty years this spring, 
which appear good for as many years more. 

To the foregoing Mr. Pearce responds : 

Mr. Brand has put Russians in a bad light, and it does not coincide with my obser- 
vation, nor yet with that of a number of other members i)resent who have orchaids 
in this section of the country. I refer to Andrew Peterson's orchard. He has trees 
twelve years old, and has twenty-five or thirty Russian varieties. His trees have 
borne well, and some of the fruit is of lair quality. I have watched his trses with 
much interest, and have never found trees that were more healthy or prolific. The 
fruit is large. I have known the Yellow Transparent a number of years. It bears 
freely, aud the fruit is of good quality. 



57 

Mr. Corlett adds : 

In the spring of 18S0 I piocured forty-threo varieties of Russians from Professor 
Biuld. I divided the collection with five neighbors, at his request, to test them ou 
dilVereut soils. My own is what is called high prairie. The past season the branches 
of several were so loaded with fruit that they required to be propped up to prevent 
breaking. I had pi-eviously successfully grown such varieties as Dominie, Early 
Harvest, Sops of Wine, Wiuesap, Ben Davis, Benoni, etc., but none of them are now 
left, and my only hope is in the Russians. 

Peter M. Gideou, of Excelsior: 

I got a good many of the Russian varieties in scions, and planted the trees some 
years ago. The blight destroyed all but three of the trees in the orchard, and the 
fruit of those proved worthless. Afterward I had some two hundred and thirty vari- 
eties, but the blight destroyed most of them. Four years ago I had some seven 
thousand orchard trees. Over two thousand went down entirely, and others were 
damaged. I still had twenty Russian varieties left, but two years ago took most of 
those. Onlj^ two of the list bore last season. 

The cause of the injury two years since was a severe freeze while the trees were 
yet in a growing condition. 

Professor Porter, of Minnesota, Report for 1881, says: 

I think we have much yet to learn in the acclimation of the Russian apple before 
it will prove entirely satisfactory. That it has .some good points all must admit; 
coming as it does inured to rigorous cold, wo hope it may prove all that its most san- 
guine friends anticipate. With these, as with all other new varieties, we should be 
cautious concerning extensive planting until fully persuaded that success is perched 
upon its banners. 

Charles Liiedloff Las uuder trial about oue Iiuudred varieties of Rus- 
sian apples, together with other fruits, but few of which are yet at fruit- 
ing age. He had large fruiting orchards, but the winter of 1884: and 
1885 injured them seriously. He is since giving attention to Russian 
varieties, together with promising local seedlings. 

The ^^ad interim''^ committee of the Minnesota Horticultural Society, 
ou visiting Andrew Peterson, of Carver County, found Hibernal, Ostro- 
koff, and Lejanka in perfect health and in good bearing condition. Mr. 
P. thinks Hibernal and Lejanka may prove identical. 

In the committee's report they say: 

Our observations of Russians lead us to believe that out of the many hundreds of 
varieties being introduced, we may get a score or so that will be hardy enough for 
the whole region called the Northwest, and we doubt very much if the quality and 
productiveness of one -half that number will prove satisfactory to our peo2)le, and not 
more than four or live will till the bill as long keepers. 

Mr. A. W. Sias, reporting on seedling fruits, says : 

Mr. Somerville showed us some of the most beautiful apples tiiat our eyes ever be- 
held ; those were new Russians, which we propose to designate Russian Wax, unless 
we can obtain the true name. 

He considers AutJimu Streaked as giving the highest indications of 
hardiness among the Russian apples, and places White Russett as sec- 
ond in this respect, giving the third place to a variety designated as 
Plikanoff's Small. 



58 

He names as the best six Russian apples with him : Autumn Streaked, 
Eussian Green, Juicy Streaked, Green Transparent, Red Cheeked, 
White Russett. 

Best six with William Somerville: Oldenburg, Autumn Streaked, 
Russian Wax, Charlamoff, Wiuter Aport, Unknown. 

E. H. S. Dartt, in reporting for a portion of southern Minnesota, says: 

lu regard to Kussiau varieties, I will say we had a large list of tlieiii under cultiva- 
tion prior to 1885, and I had a good deal of faith in them ; hut that winter was too 
much for nearly all of them. 

My orchard is Oldenburg and Tetofski, and I believe it has paid me better per acre 
than any other land that can be found in Steele County that has been used for any 
other i^urpose. I have kept account of my apples, and I estimate that my orchard of 
18 acres has netted me about $300 or $400 per acre, besides trouble and expense and 
the cost of the land at $100 per acre. I have a new orchard, set since the hard winter 
with five hundred Oldenbiirgs. 

At a meeting of the Minnesota Horticultural Society in January, 
1887, Professor Porter reported in substance as follows : 

In the spring of 1885, root-grafts of one hundred and seventy-nine varieties of 
Russian applies were obtained from Professor Budd, of Iowa ; also fifty-six varieties 
of t:70-year-old trees. The experimental orchard stands upon a level piece of prairie, 
with a low, wet spot in the center, and with an entirely ojjen exposure. Of fifty-two 
Oldenburg trees but five died ; showing that not more than one-third of the Russian 
varieties are as hardy as Oldenburg. Number of trees planted, one hundred and 
fourteen, of fifty-seven varieties; 32^ percent, of the trees are dead. 

Thirty-four additional varieties were planted in the spring of 1886. The orchard 
now contains eighty-one varieties of apples. 

Certain varieties have proven worthless, and should be rejected ; although some of 
these may succeed elsewhere. A single station can not therefore do this work satis- 
factorily. At the farm (near Minneapolis) conditions are essentially different from 
those farther south. Instead, therefore, of two fruit stations under State control, we 
need at least four, with dozens of substations. 

Some of the Russian importations promise to i^rove of great value. 

A. W. Sias, of Rochester, southern Minnesota, as superintendent of 
the Experiment Station at that place, says : 

In referring to my report of last year, I discover that I erred in not heading it an 
olituary notice. The mortality was so sweeping in its results two years ago that we 
have but little to report upon at this time. But in this great loss we are again forci- 
bly reminded of that saying so full of meaning to the intelligent horticulturist — " the 
survival of the fittest." 

Without stopping to itemize, I will say that all of our trees with thick, pubescent 
leaves came through the severe winter two years ago in good shape, and have be- 
haved first-rate ever since, notwithstanding they had to pass through a fiery ordeal 
last summer. Such trees are equal to every emergency. 

At Moorhead, northern Minnesota, R. M. Probstlield reports that he 
received from Professor Budd the following varieties of Russian apple- 
trees : Summer Calville ?, Ledenets, Royal Table, Romenskoe, Kursk 
Anis, Lead, Rosy Pipka, Ukraine, and Autonovka, which did well, 
notwithstanding the hot, dry summer, and went into the winter in good 
condition. 



59 

Trauscendeiit Crab was bearing heavily, but blight was thimiing out 
the trees rapidly. 
At Albert Lea, southern Minnesota, Clarence Wedge reports : 

Some of tlicse uew Ru.ssiaus are pretty well past the experimental stage. 

G. W. Fuller, Litchfield, central Minnesota, says : 

Wo had full crops of P'arly Strawberry, Traiiscendeut, Beach's Sweet, and Minne- 
sota crabs, a very few Oldenburgs, and still fewer Wealthies. 

Thomas Fraukland, writing from Manitoba, says: 

Several varieties of crabs are found (o succeed at Hendiugly, and out of quite a 
number of Wealthy apples planted some tif teen years ago two yet survive. Other 
persons have tried apples ; but having, as I contend, planted unsuitable varieties, 
they have failed to keep them alive beyond the third year. Some of the Russian varie- 
ties give promise of hardiness. 

In a paper entitled Fruit-Growing in the Northwest, J. S. Harris says,- 
in effect : 

From the early settlement of the country many of the Eastern varieties succeeded 
for a time, but the winter of 1882 and 1883 destroyed trees by the thousands, totally 
annihilating hundreds of orchards of the old favorite varieties. 

Ten or twelve years of successful replanting M'ith supposed hardy varieties followed ; 
till, in the winter of 1885-'86 a disaster as serious the first overtook us. A summer 
drought and early frost had matured the growth. September, October, andlialf of No- 
vember were wet and warm, starting a new growth. Winter shut down suddenly, 
was long and severe, and the deep snows prevented freezing of the ground. 

Looking to the future, lie feels great confidence that among the importations from 
Russia, or the originations of Gideon, a remedy will bo found, and a safeguard jiro- 
vided against the recurrence of such a calamity. 

William Selbie, writing from Deadwood, Dak., says : 

I have quite an orchard planted at my ranch, and expect to have over a barrel of 
apples this year. I think this country, in the immediate vicinity of the hills, is ad- 
mirably adapted to horticulture. 

John C. Ferris, secretary Northern Iowa Horticultural Society, when 
at Bismarck, Dak., saw Tetofski and several hybrid crabs in fruit. 
In Minnehaha Countj', in southeastern Dakota, tliere are many trees of 
Oldenburg and Wealtliy and some of Fall Queen (Haas) in bearing. 

THE QL'IXCE. 

The common Quince {Cydonia vulgaris) is indigenous in southern 
Europe and eastern Asia. It is said to have first attracted attention 
in the Island of Crete, from the ancient name of which its botanical 
title is derived. It is successful in New England, and westward to and 
including Michigan ; but even within the influence of the Great Lakes 
it is not successful to any considerable distance north of latitude 43°, 
while it succeeds but indifferently, if at alf, west of Lake Michigan. 

The Japan Quince {Cydonia Japonica) is similarly hardy, and is grown 
chiefly for its brilliant flowers, which appear very early in spring. 
There are several varieties, differing slightly in color; some of Ahich, 
when of mature age, fruit freely. The ripe fruit may be used like that 
of the common quince. 



60 



THE BLACK WALNUT. 



The Black Waluut [JiKjJann nigra) is one of the largest of northern 
forest trees. Its liuiit northward is probably not much, if any, beyond 
latitude 44°, although it is being planted for timber and shelter even 
farther nortn. Eeports from northern Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Da- 
kota indicate that, in those regions, its permanent success must be re- 
garded as probleniatical ; dependent, possibly, upon a judicious selec- 
tion of soil and aspect. 

It is successful in southwestern Iowa ; while in central Wisconsin 
it has been found to grow well for a few years and then fail. It is said 
to grow and fruit well in southern Minnesota, as well as in some por- 
tions of Dakota. It is found to be more satisfactory at the extreme 
north, when grown from northern seed, a fact that is believed to be 
true of plants generally. 

The English walnut* {JnylanH regia) is grown largely and with profit 
in some of the Pacific States, but fails at the East, and is too tender 
for the extreme North. 



THE BUTTKDNUT. 



The Butternut (Juglans cincrca) has a somewhat more extended range 
northward than the black waluut. It is perfectly' at home, if not actu- 
ally indigenous, in Michigan up to latitude 45°, and is abundant as a 
forest tree in portions of southern Minnesota in that latitude. Although 
not supposed to be indigenous, it is successfully grown in portions of 
Iowa, and there seems good reason for the hope that it may be found 
successful as far north as the national boundary, possibly even farther. 

THE IlICKUl'tY-NUT. 

The genus Carya consists of several species, of which Carya alba is 
very widely distributed, and may be considered to be the Northern 
hickory-nut proper. 

Carya suLcata, the Western shell-bark hickory, has a nut of large size, 
with a very hard, thick shell. It is indigenous from Pennsylvania to 
Illinois and Kentucky. In Michigan its extreme northern limit is 
reached in the third tier of counties in the lower i)eninsula. 

Carya oliv(vformis, the Pecan, is said to be indigenous along the Mis- 
sissip]»i Eiver as far north as southern Iowa, which is believed to be 
its extreme limit northward. 

Besides the foregoing, Carya fomentosa, the Mocker-Nut or white heart 
hickory; Carya glabra, the Pig- Nut or broom hickory, and Cart/a awara, 
the Bitter-Nut or swamp hickory, are indigenous and more or less com- 
mon, although of little value save as useful timber. Their limit north- 
ward can not be said to be determined, save that Messrs. Wheeler and 

* The proi)er name of this uiit is Madeira nut, because it came origiually from the 
islaud of Madeira, iu Portugal, and is in no sense English. — H. E. Van Deman. 



61 

Smith, in their Michigan Flora, remark that " No member of this fiimily 
gets mnch north of latitude 43^." 

In southern Minnesota, however, near the latitude of Saint Paul (450), 
the hickory [Carya alba) and bitter nut {Carya amara) are reported to 
be successful, probably as artificially j)lanted trees. 

THE CnESTNUT. 

The American Chestnut {Castanea vesca) finds its northern liuiit in 
Micliigan at about latitude 43°, although it is apparently hardy much 
farther north, probably throughout the lower and possibly in some por- 
tions of the upper i^eninsula. 

West of Lake Michigan this tree is not known to exist as an indige- 
nous growth, although when planted on suitable soils it proves hardy 
and successful. 

Chinquapin {Castanea lyumila) is a native of southern Pennsylvania 
and Ohio, and on south, and is only known farther north as an intro- 
duced curiosity. 

The European or Spanish (jhestnut [Castanea vulgaris) bears a much 
larger nut, though less sweet than the American. The tree is tender 
at the North and West, except in specially-favored localities. 

The Japanese Chestnut is a comparatively recent introduction, ap- 
parently quite similar to the Spanish, although it is claimed to be an 
earlier bearer, with even larger fruit. It will no doubt prove tender, 
at least north of latitude 43°. 



INDEX 



fags. 

Amygdahts 19 

Ap])le, the 2G 

Blight 30 

Hardiuess 30 

Varieties : 

American 33 

Russian, imported „^^ ,. 39 

Apricot, the 15 

Blackberry, the 12 

Blueberry, the 12 

Butternut, the GO 

Cari/a GO 

Castaiiea Gl 

Cherry, the 9 

Varieties 10 

Chestnut, the .« Gl 

Chinquapin, the 61 

Climatic influences 5 

Cranberry, the 14 

Currant, the 11 

Cydonia o9 

Dewberry, the 12 

Fruits adapted to a northern climate G 

Gayhtssacia 12 

Gooseberry, the 12 

Grape, the 20 

Varieties 21 

Hickorj'-nut, the GO 

Jnglans GO 

Juueberry, d warf 9 

Mocker -unt GO 

Peach, the 19 

Pear, the 22 

Varieties, Russian 23 

Pecan, the GO 

Pig-nut GO 

Plum, the 16 

Diseases 16 

Enemies 17 

Primus 9,15,16 

I'yrus 2:2,26 

Quince, the 59 

Raspberry, the 8 

Varieties 9 

63 



64 

Pago. 

nihcs 11,12 

liiiJms 8,12 

Strawberry, the 

Vai i«!t,ies 7 

raccinium 12,14 

Vibcrnum !'> 

riiifi ,, 20 

Walnut: 

Black GO 

Eiitrlish 00 



<hMr'08 



